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BHii^ M 

_ _ _ _ 


Ctjr  Ulnrlrunii  Miilu. 


ACCOUNT  OF  THE  CELEBRATION 


COMMEMORATIVE  OF  THE  OPENING 


OF 

RAILROAD  COMMUNICATION  ' 

BETWEEN 

BOSTON  AND  CANADA, 


SEPTEMBER  17th,  I  8th,  and  19th,  1851. 


B  O  S  T  O  N  : 

18  5  2. 

J.  H.  EASTBURN,  CITY  PRINTER. 


chestnut  hill. 


LIBRARY 

MASS* 


♦ 


I 


PREFACE. 


The  Editor  of  the  following  Report,  who  was  requested  to 
prepare  it  by  the  Committee  of  the  City  Council,  to  whom  its 
preparation  was  in  the  first  instance  entrusted,  deems  it  proper, 
for  the  purpose  of  obviating  misapprehension,  to  make  a  remark 
or  two  in  justice  to  the  Committee.  Had  the  work  been  execut¬ 
ed  by  them,  it  would  doubtless  have  been  far  better  done ;  yet, 
from  their  relations  to  the  City,  and  their  official  participation  in 
the  events  described,  they  would  have  labored  under  some  em¬ 
barrassments  which  could  not  be  felt  by  others  not  so  situated. 

The  only  directions  which  the  Editor  received  from  the  Com¬ 
mittee,  were  to  make  the  Report  as  full  and  accurate  as  possible, 
and  to  use  all  despatch ;  in  other  respects  he  was  left  at  liberty  to 
adopt  his  own  course  and  present  it  in  such  form  as  his  judgment 
might  approve.  With  these  directions  he  has  faithfully  endeavor¬ 
ed  to  comply,  and  has  at  the  same  time  attempted,  though,  as  he 
is  fully  aware,  with  very  imperfect  success,  to  give  to  the  Celebra¬ 
tion  that  character,  which,  after  a  careful  consideration  of  all  its 
relations,  it  seemed  to  him  to  be  properly  entitled. 


Boston,  February,  1852. 


Page  12, 
“  51, 
“  60, 
“  80, 
«  86, 
“  109, 
«  125, 
“  32, 


line  21,  for  “  survives,”  read  survive. 

“  33,  for  “  Twistdon,”  read  Twistleton  M.  P. 

“  31,  for  w  Josiah  P.  Bradlee,”  read  J.  Putnam  Bradlee. 

“  30,  for  “  Coombs,”  read  Combs. 

“  3rd  and  4th,  for  “  Surveyor  of  the  Port,”  read  Naval  Officer  of  Port  of  Boston. 
“  for  “  A.  Agassiz,”  read  A.  E.  Agassiz. 

“  19th  and  22d,  for  “  Stewart,”  read  Stuart. 

“  32,  for  “  Stewart,”  read  Stuart. 


RAILROAD  JUBILEE. 


The  celebration  commemorative  of  the  completion  of  the 
great  lines  of  railway  connecting  our  City  with  the  Canadas 
and  the  West,  and  the  establishment  by  some  of  our  citizens, 
of  a  line  of  Ocean  steamships  to  facilitate  and  enlarge  our 
commercial  intercourse  with  the  Old  World,  was  an  event 
which  will  long  be  remembered,  and  the  history  of  which 
must  form  a  prominent  chapter  in  the  social  and  commercial 
annals  of  Boston. 

It  was  a  celebration  worthy  of  the  occasion  and  of  the 
character  of  the  City  by  which  it  was  instituted;  a  jubilee 
in  commemoration  of  the  peaceful  and  beneficent  triumphs 
of  science  and  skill,  appointed  by  a  City  distinguished  for 
the  intelligent  enterprise  and  resolute  perseverance  of  its  in¬ 
habitants,  and  for  its  faithful  maintenance  and  promotion  of 
all  those  great  interests,  Civil,  Religious,  Literary  and  Indus¬ 
trial,  upon  which  the  well  being  and  progress  of  a  community 
so  essentially  depend. 

However  extensive  and  brilliant  may  have  been  the  public 
pageants  on  other  occasions,  no  one,  it  is  believed,  has,  on 
this  Continent,  surpassed,  if  any  have  equalled,  that  of  the 
17th,  18th,  and  19th  of  September.  And  the  magnitude 
of  the  enterprises  which  the  varied  ceremonies  of  those  days 
were  designed  to  celebrate,  well  entitled  them  to  be  thus 
distinguished,  when  they  are  considered  in  all  their  present 
and  probable  future  bearings  upon  the  interests,  not  of  this 
City  and  State  alone,  but  of  all  New  England,  the  great 
West  and  the  Canadas. 


4 


Other  enterprises  have  been  undertaken  and  successfully 
accomplished  by  our  citizens,  which  were  thought  to  be, 
and  indeed  were,  worthy  of  especial  commemoration.  But 
these,  however  important  to  the  interests  of  the  City,  were 
local  in  their  design  and  influence.  To  increase  the  comfort, 
the  conveniences  and  the  general  prosperity  of  the  city  or  its 
immediate  vicinity,  was  their  primary  object.  How  wise 
was  the  foresight  which  originated  and  conducted  them,  the 
present  prosperity  of  Boston  amply  shows.  But  though  each, 
in  its  design,  looked  only  to  the  attainment  of  comparatively 
limited  and  specific  results,  yet  its  successful  operation,  by 
inspiring  a  spirit  of  confidence,  by  multiplying  our  resources, 
and  extending  our  relations,  served  to  prepare  the  way  for 
others  of  greater  magnitude. 

Thus,  step  by  step,  each  bolder  and  firmer  than  the  pre¬ 
ceding,  has  our  City  gone  forward  in  her  energetic  career, 
until,  from  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  Charles  River 
in  1786,  she  has  projected,  and  after  many  years*  endeavor, 
has  in  a  great  measure  brought  to  successful  completion,  a 
system  of  railroads  whose  united  length  exceeds  a  thousand 
miles.  Of  this  great  system  Boston  is  the  centre.  Starting 
from  within  her  limits,  seven  main  lines  extend  in  dif¬ 
ferent  directions  through  the  State,  and  by  their  numerous 
connections  and  lateral  branches,  form,  ail  over  it,  a  network 
of  iron.  Animated  by  our  example,  encouraged  by  our  suc¬ 
cess,  and  at  times  aided  by  our  means,  the  people  of  the 
neighboring  States  have  united  their  efforts  with  ours,  and 
every  obstacle  to  the  easiest  intercommunication  has  been 
overcome.  Our  borders  have  been  crossed  by  railroads  on 
every  side  that  is  not  washed  by  the  Ocean,  great  level  high¬ 
ways  have  been  extended  through  every  State  in  New  Eng¬ 
land,  and  we  are  connected  by  iron  bands  with  the  Canadas 
on  the  North,  and  the  great  Lakes  and  the  Valley  of  the 
Mississippi  on  the  west. 

When  we  reflect  that  hardly  twenty  years  have  elapsed 
since  the  first  shovelful  of  earth  was  moved  on  either  of  the 
public  railroads  now  in  operation  in  our  State  ;  that  only  so 
far  back  as  the  year  1834,  a  locomotive  engine  was  for  the 


Nr 

b 

first  time  introduced  into  New  England ;  and  that  the  earliest 
completed  roads  were  not  opened  for  travel  through  their 
whole  length  till  the  year  1835,  [the  Boston  and  Providence 
in  June,  and  the  Boston  and  Worcester  in  July  ;]  and  then 
spread  out  before  us  a  railway  map  of  the  New  England 
States,  and  see  what  has  been  accomplished  ; — that  within 
the  limits  of  our  own  small  State  upwards  of  a  thousand 
miles  of  road  have  been  opened  for  travel,  and  beyond  our 

limits  a  thousand  more  in  close  connection  with  them,  and 

/ 

tending  to  the  same  common  centre,  at  an  outlay  (for  the 
whole)  of  nearly  a  hundred  millions  of  dollars,  we  can  form 
some  adequate  conception  of  the  mighty  work  that  has  been 
accomplished. 

The  Railroad  Jubilee  was  designed,  then,  not  only  to  ex¬ 
press  our  joy  at  the  final  triumph  of  our  efforts  to  accom¬ 
plish  enterprises  of  great  moment,  but  to  mark  with  distinct¬ 
ness,  what,  it  is  believed,  will  ever  be  considered  a  prominent 
era  in  the  industrial  and  commercial  annals  of  New  England. 
And  it  is  fitting  that  such  events,  as  they  occur,  should  be 
commemorated  in  a  striking  and  public  manner.  They  are 
points  at  which  it  is  well  to  pause,  and  look  back.  Com¬ 
forts,  conveniences,  blessings  are  showered  on  us  in  such 
profusion  by  the  almost  magic  achievements  of  science  and  art, 
that  unless  reminded  from  time  to  time  of  their  reality  and 
value,  we  are  in  danger  either  of  not  thinking  of  them  at  all, 
or  at  least  of  estimating  them  at  too  low  a  rate.  Such  occa¬ 
sions  naturally  lead  us  to  contrast  the  present  with  the  past, 
and  so  to  form  a  more  vivid  conception  of  the  changes  which 
a  few  generations  or  a  few  years  have  wrought,  of  the  bless¬ 
ings  which  advancing  civilization  has  conferred  on  us,  and 
of  the  responsibility  resting  upon  us  to  transmit,  to  our  pos¬ 
terity,  not  diminished,  but  enlarged,  the  great  inheritance 
which  has  descended  to  us. 

And,  in  this  view,  it  may  not  be  inappropriate  at  this  time 
to  take  a  further  retrospect.  For,  in  estimating  the  character 
and  meaning  of  this  Celebration,  it  is  important  to  take  into 
consideration  the  qualities  and  condition  of  the  community 
which  originated  it,  and  to  glance  at  the  nature  and  progress  of 


6 


the  prominent  events  of  its  history  prior  to  those  immediately 
under  consideration.  Twenty  years  have  sufficed  to  effect  an 
immense  change  in  the  social  relations,  and  the  industrial 
interests  of  all  New  England.  But  the  intelligence  to  guide, 
the  wisdom  and  boldness  to  plan,  the  skill,  energy  and  per¬ 
severance  to  execute,  so  essential  to  the  working  out  of  such 
a  revolution,  are  not  of  the  growth  of  twenty  years  ;  for  them 
we  are  indebted  in  large  measure  to  our  fathers  ;  and  from 
the  foundation  of  our  City  those  qualities  have  constituted  a 
portion  of  the  legacy  which  each  passing  generation  has 
handed  down  to  its  successor.  And  thus  our  triumphs  of 
to-day  were  prepared  for  11s  in  the  past ;  and  the  event  we 
have  so  recently  honored,  is  but  the  last  of  a  long  series, 
whose  united  influence  has  wrought  out  results  which  can 
never  be  contemplated  without  admiration. 

It  is  now  little  more  than  two  hundred  and  twenty  years 
since  the  settlement  of  Boston.  Hardly  seven  generations  of 
men  have  passed  since  the  spot  we  now  inhabit  was  a  wil¬ 
derness.  “Accustomed  as  we  are  to  the  beauties  of  the  place 
and  its  vicinity,  and  in  the  daily  perception  of  the  charms  of 
its  almost  unrivalled  scenery  ; — in  the  centre  of  a  natural 
amphitheatre  whose  sloping  descents  the  riches  of  a  laborious 
and  intellectual  cultivation  adorn, — where  hill  and  vale, 
river  and  ocean,  island  and  continent,  simple  nature  and 
unobtrusive  art,  with  contrasted  and  interchanging  harmo¬ 
nies,  form  a  rich  and  gorgeous  landscape,  we  are  little  able  to 
realize  the  almost  repulsive  aspect  of  its  original  state.  To 
the  eyes  of  the  first  emigrants,  however,  where  now  exists  a 
dense  and  aggregated  mass  of  living  beings  and  material 
things,  amid  all  the  accommodations  of  life,  the  splendors  of 
wealth,  the  delights  of  taste,  and  whatever  can  gratify  the 
cultivated  intellect,  there  were  then  only  a  few  hills  which, 
when  the  Ocean  receded,  were  intersected  by  wide  marshes, 
and  when  its  tide  returned,  appeared  a  group  of  lofty  islands 
rising  from  the  surrounding  waters.  Thick  forests  concealed 
the  neighboring  hills,  and  the  deep  silence  of  nature  was 
broken  only  by  the  voice  of  the  wild  beast  or  bird,  and  the 
war  whoop  of  the  savage. 


7 


The  advantages  of  the  place  were,  however,  clearly  mark¬ 
ed  by  the  hand  of  nature ;  combining  at  once  present  con¬ 
venience,  future  security,  and  an  ample  basis  for  permanent 
growth  and  prosperity.  Towards  the  continent  it  possessed 
but  a  single  avenue,  and  that  easily  fortified.  Its  hills  then 
commanded  not  only  its  own  waters,  but  the  hills  of  the 
vicinity.  At  the  bottom  of  a  deep  bay,  its  harbor  was  capa¬ 
ble  of  containing  the  proudest  navy  of  Europe ;  yet  locked 
by  islands  and  guarded  by  winding  channels,  it  presented 
great  difficulty  of  access  to  strangers,  and  to  the  inhabitants 
great  facilities  for  protection  against  maritime  invasion ; 
while  to  those  acquainted  with  its  waters,  it  was  both  easy 
and  accessible.  To  these  advantages  were  added  goodness 
and  plenteousness  of  water,  and  the  security  afforded  by  that 
once  commanding  height,  now,  alas!  obliterated  and  almost 
forgotten,  since  art  and  industry  have  levelled  that  predomi¬ 
nating  mountain  of  the  place  from  whose  lofty  and  imposing 
top,  the  beacon-fire  was  accustomed  to  rally  the  neighboring 
population  on  any  threatened  danger  to  the  metropolis.”  # 

Such  was  the  spot  to  which  our  fathers  came  to  establish 
for  themselves  a  home  ;  and  such  was  the  scene  presented  to 
their  eyes.  How  wonderful  the  change,  which,  in  the  com¬ 
paratively  short  period  of  two  hundred  years,  has  been  effect¬ 
ed  !  But  the  same  bold  spirit  of  enterprise  that  led  them  to 
encounter  all  the  hazards  and  privations  of  founding  a  settle¬ 
ment  in  the  unbroken  wilderness ;  the  same  resolute  perse¬ 
verance,  and  unconquerable  energy,  that  characterized  their 
after  career,  have  ever  been  prominent  traits  in  the  character 
of  their  descendants. 

Civil  and  religious  freedom  were,  indeed,  the  objects  which 
rose  high  above  all  others  in  their  view,  yet  the  determined 
and  self-relying  spirit  which  actuated  them  in  their  struggle 
after  these,  gave  life,  vigor,  and  direction  to  all  their  acts, 
and  soon,  amid  the  shadows  of  the  dark  forest,  the  abode  of 
the  savage  and  the  wild  beast,  were  laid  deep  and  secure  the 

i 

*  From  an  Address  to  the  Citizens  of  Boston,  delivered  on  the  17th  September, 
1830,  at  the  close  of  the  Second  Century  after  the  Settlement  of  the  City,  by  the 
Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  L.L.D. 


✓ 


8 


foundations  of  our  city.  Proud  as  we  may  be,  in  view  of  our 
achievements  in  the  arts  of  peace  ;  far-reaching  and  magnifi¬ 
cent  as  may  be  our  enterprises,  yet  nothing  we  can  accom¬ 
plish  can  ever  surpass  the  real  greatness  of  their  exploits. 
To  them,  under  Heaven,  the  prosperity,  which  this  day 
crowns  our  City,  is  chiefly  due.  They  lighted  the  torch  to 
guide  our  steps.  They  left  us  the  priceless  legacy  of  their  ex¬ 
ample,  and  the  still  more  precious  inheritance  of  their  spirit. 
To  fail  to  acknowledge,  on  such  an  occasion,  our  deep  obliga¬ 
tions  to  them,  would  be  a  wrong  to  ourselves.  Our  glory  is, 
that  we  have  not  been  unmindful  of  the  lessons  they  taught, 
nor  undervalued  the  legacies  they  left. 

Familiar  as  we  all  are,  or  should  be,  with  the  history  of  our 
City,  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  or  uninstructive  to  dwell  for 
a  few  moments  upon  some  of  the  points  which  place  the  past 
and  the  present  in  striking  contrast,  and  briefly  advert  to  a 
few  of  the  events  of  by-gone  years,  which,  though  to  us 
seemingly  unimnortant,  were  the  prominent  events  of  their 
day,  and  the  germs  of  much  of  our  present  prosperity. 

In  the  year  1630,  a  “  single  cottage  from  which  ascended 
the  smoke  of  the  hospitable  hearth  of  Blackstone,  was  the 
only  mansion  in  the  solitude,”  and  an  assessment  of  thirty 
pounds  was  sufficient  for  the  purchase  of  all  the  local  rights 
in  the  Peninsula  which  Blackstone  possessed.  Now,  Boston 
and  its  vicinity,  within  a  radius  of  five  miles,  contain  at 
least  230,000  inhabitants.*  The  City  itself  has  about 
145,000,  with  an  assessed  valuation  of  one  hundred  and 
eighty-seven  millions  of  dollars.  In  1631,  a  small  bark  was 
built,  at  Mystick,  by  Gov.  Winthrop.  It  was  launched  on  the 
4th  of  July  of  that  year,  and  named  the  “  Blessing  of  the 
Bay.”  “  How  strikingly  in  contrast  the  building  of  that  little 
boat,  the  solitary  instance  of  that  year,  with  the  annual  pro¬ 
ductions  that  now  come  from  the  shipyards  which  line  the 
banks  of  the  Mystic — of  the  single  voyage  to  Rhode  Island, 
to  trade  for  a  hundred  bushels  of  corn,  with  that  commerce 
which  now  covers  the  wide  waters  from  the  Arctic  to  the 

*  Within  a  radius  of  sixty  miles  from  the  State  House  in  Boston,  there  are  one 
million  of  inhabitants,  nearly  all  of  whom  are  in  convenient  proximity  to  railways 
connected  with  the  metropolis.  The  radius  embraces  parts  of  neighboring  States. 


9 


Antarctic,  and  surrounds  the  globe  with  a  constant  proces¬ 
sion  of  the  white  winged  messengers  of  Peace  and  Plenty.” 

In  April,  1635,  the  first  “  Free  School  ”  was  established  in 
Boston,  twelve  years  prior  to  the  law  of  the  Commonwealth 
making  the  establishment  of  such  institutions  imperative. 
Not  to  be  able  “  perfectly  to  read  the  English  tongue,”  and 
to  “know  the  general  laws,”  our  fathers  denominated  “bar¬ 
barism  — and  from  the  day  when  they  “  entreated  our  brother 
Philemon  Pormont  to  become  schoolmaster,  for  the  nurturing 
and  teaching  children  with  us,”  to  this  hour,  when,  what 
is  equivalent  to  a  capital  of  twelve  hundred  thousand  dollars 
is  invested  in  school  houses,  when  two  hundred  schools  are 
maintained,  and  nearly  twenty-one  thousand  children  edu¬ 
cated,  at  an  annual  expense  of  three  hundred  and  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars,  the  people  of  Boston  have  never  wavered 
for  a  moment  in  their  attachment  to  the  system  of  “  free 
Schools,”  or  in  their  generous  support  of  it ;  and  it  is  not  too 
much  to  say.  that  in  proportion  to  its  means  and  population, 
no  city  in  the  world  ever  gave  more  uniform  and  unequivo¬ 
cal  evidence  of  its  earnest  desire  to  diffuse  intellectual  power 
and  moral  culture  through  the  whole  mass  of  the  commu¬ 
nity. 

In  1679  the  first  fire  engine  was  procured,  and  the  first  fire 
company  organized. 

In  1704  appeared  “  The  Boston  News-Letter,”  the  first 
newspaper  ever  published  in  the  British  colonies  in  North 
America. 

In  1710  a  post-office  was  established,  and  mails  were  for¬ 
warded  once  a  week  to  Plymouth  and  to  Maine,  and  once  a 
fortnight  to  New  York. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the 
first  great  enterprise  in  which  our  citizens  engaged  was  the 
construction  of  a  bridge  leading  to  Charlestown  over  Charles 
river.  And  it  was  an  enterprise  of  no  ordinary  magnitude 
for  those  days, — and  one  respecting  whose  ultimate  success 
there  were  many  doubts.  But  the  work  was  commenced, 
prosecuted  with  vigor,  and  opened  for  travel  on  the  17th  of 
June,  1786.  This  occasion  was  celebrated  with  appropriate 


o 


10 


festivities.  Salutes  of  thirteen  guns  were  fired  at  sunrise 
from  Bunker’s  and  Copp’s  Hills ;  a  long  procession  was 
formed  which  passed  through  the  streets  and  over  the  bridge, 
and  eight  hundred  persons  sat  down  to  a  dinner  provided  for 
them  on  Breed’s  Hill.  The  number  of  spectators  present 
on  the  occasion  was  estimated  at  more  than  twenty  thou¬ 
sand.  Now,  besides  the  seven  lines  of  railroad,  five  bridges, 
four  broad  avenues  and  two  ferries  are  daily  crowded  with 
tens  of  thousands  passing  to  or  from  the  city. 

These  few  reminiscenses  and  contrasts  are,  perhaps,  as 
well  calculated  as  any  thing  to  show  the  steady  yet  rapid 
growth  of  the  city  ;  and  to  impress  upon  the  mind  the  strong 
conviction,  that  not  to  superiority  of  natural  advantages  alone 
or  chiefly  must  it  be  ascribed.  In  this  connexion  we  quote 
from  an  address  of  Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow : — u  So  large  an  ac¬ 
cumulation  of  people  and  wealth  on  a  single  spot,  as  is  now 
found  here,  could  hardly  have  been  anticipated  within  a  re¬ 
gion  of  our  country  so  little  favored  by  nature.  The  sterile 
soil,  the  rugged  surface,  the  stern  climate,  and  the  want  of 
navigable  streams  in  New  England,  would  have  seemed  to 
render  it  improbable  that  it  would  ever  be  considerably  peo¬ 
pled,  or  that  any  great  commercial  mart  should  arise  within 
its  borders.  It  would  seem  that  such  could  only  exist  within 
the  more  central  and  southerly  portions  of  the  Union,  under 
more  genial  skies,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  great  natural 
routes  of  inter-communication.  But  the  resolution  and  intel¬ 
ligent  industry  of  our  fathers  surmounted  every  obstacle. 
The  region  sneeringly  stigmatized  as  having  no  natural  pro¬ 
ductions  for  export  but  ‘  granite  and  ice,’  now  teems  with 
three  millions  of  the  children  of  freedom,  abounding  in  all 
the  comforts  of  civilized  life — and  its  metropolis  ranks  with 
the  great  cities  of  the  globe. 

“  It  is  to  be  borne  in  mind,  also,  that  that  metropolis  became 
an  important  city  long  before  science  and  art  had  cut  in  sun¬ 
der  the  hills,  elevated  the  vales,  and  spanned  the  running 
waters,  to  unite  her  commerce  in  easy  and  rapid  communica¬ 
tion  with  more  favored  climes. 

u  II  our  people  could  achieve  a  position  so  prominent  while 


11 


destitute  of  any  of  the  facilities  of  intercourse  with  the  inte¬ 
rior,  with  which  other  cities  were  so  abundantly  blessed, 
what  may  we  not  expect  of  the  future  destiny  of  Boston 
now  that  her  iron  highways,  extending  in  all  directions, 
bring  her  into  convenient  proximity  with  every  section  of 
the  land  ?  Those  who  could  effect  so  much  under  the  most 
repelling  circumstances,  may  be  depended  upon  to  avail 
themselves,  to  the  full,  of  their  new  and  ample  advantages. 

11  The  long  winter  of  New  England  isolation  is  broken  ; — 
she  now  warms  and  flourishes  in  friendly  and  thrifty  inter¬ 
course  with  the  luxuriant  West ;  and  it  is  not  too  much  to 
anticipate  that  the  day  will  come,  when  there  will  be  no 
greater  or  more  prosperous  city  upon  the  American  continent 
than  the  City  of  the  Pilgrims.”  * 

When  we  see  a  community  steadily  pursuing,  through  suc¬ 
cessive  generations,  the  same  onward  and  upward  course,  it 
can  only  be  through  the  impulse  of  the  same  ever  acting 
motives.  A  free  school  in  the  wilderness, — a  house  erected 
for  the  worship  of  God,  within  hearing  of  the  war-cry  of  the 
savage,  indicate  clearly  enough  the  principles  which  stimu¬ 
lated  the  energies  of  our  fathers.  In  their  vigorous  pursuit 
of  material  advantages,  they  never  lost  sight  of  higher  inter¬ 
ests.  If  their  harvests  were  abundant,  if  their  trade  was 
prosperous  and  their  resources  enlarged,  the  institutions  of 
religion,  of  learning  and  of  benevolence  shared  largely  in 
the  general  prosperity.  If  they  were  successful  in  the  accu¬ 
mulation  of  wealth,  they  were  no  less  liberal  in  the  distribu¬ 
tion  of  it.  To  found  a  school  or  a  college  was  as  dear  an 
object  with  them,  as  to  add  to  their  manufactures  or  extend 
their  commerce  ;  and  the  enterprise  and  thrift,  which  enabled 
them  to  foster  and  support  their  seminaries  of  learning,  de¬ 
rived  in  return  from  them  the  intelligence  which  insured 
success.  Thus  in  harmonious  and  happy  union  grew  up 
together  and  in  mutual  dependence  all  the  pursuits  and 
institutions  essential  to  the  stability,  progress  and  happiness 


*  “  Inaugural  Address  to  the  City  Council.  By  John  Prescott  Bigelow.” 
Mayor.  “Jan.  1,  1849” 


of  a  people.  And  so  now,  and  in  this  light,  must  be  viewed 
the  works  of  the  present  generation. 

The  forest  of  masts  that  almost  encircles  our  city,  the  pant¬ 
ing  steamers  and  the  fleets  of  freighted  ships  with  outspread 
sails,  which  enliven  our  beautiful  harbor;  our  crowded  thor¬ 
oughfares,  ringing  with  the  din  of  traffic  and  the  noisy  hum  of 
industry;  and  our  sometimes  magnificent  and  always  extensive 
and  substantial  railway  stations,  where  no  hour  passes  without 
the  entrance  or  departure  of  some  long  train  of  cars,  moved  by 
its  swift  though  ponderous  engine,  and  filled  with  passengers 
or  loaded  with  merchandize,  furnish  unecpiivocal  evidences  of 
the  activity,  energy  and  enterprise  of  our  citizens.  But  when 
we  see  how  liberally  the  wealth  thus  procured  is  devoted  to  un¬ 
selfish  purposes  and  noble  ends  ;  how  the  institutions  founded 
by  our  ancestors  for  the  maintenance  of  religion  and  the  dif¬ 
fusion  of  intellectual  and  moral  culture  are  upheld  and  extend¬ 
ed;  how  all  the  “charities  that  soothe  and  heal  and  bless” 
are  generously  supported  ; — how  much  is  the  character  of  this 
activity  and  progress  exalted,  and  what  encouraging  proofs 
are  given  that  the  spirit  and  the  principles  of  our  fathers 
“survives  in  the  hearts  and  is  exhibited  in  the  lives  of  the 
citizens  of  Boston  !  ” 

It  is  one  of  the  noblest  features  in  the  whole  history  of 
our  city,  that  its  industrial  and  commercial  objects  and  suc¬ 
cesses  have  ever  been  made  to  subserve  the  highest  interests 
of  humanity  ;  and  to  speak  of  them  out  of  this  connexion, 
and  view  them  as  merely  mercenary  in  their  aims  and  ends, 
would  mar  the  truth,  as  much  as  it  would  deface  the  beauty, 
of  that  history.  And  now,  while  dwelling  with,  we  trust  not 
improper  feelings  of  pride  and  satisfaction,  on  the  successful 
results  of  our  efforts  to  extend  and  enlarge  our  commercial 
relations,  we  may  be  pardoned  if  we  do  not  forget,  that  while 
constructing  a  thousand  miles  of  railroad,  we  have  contrib¬ 
uted  millions  for  the  general  good. 

But,  leaving  such  considerations  and  looking  at  the  event 
so  recently  celebrated  only  in  its  commercial  character  and 
its  relations  to  the  present,  we  shall  still  find  that,  viewed  in 
any  aspect,  it  was  one  of  no  ordinary  importance  ;  and  we 


13 


may  see  in  it  an  illustration  “  how  God  draws  the  good  of  a 
higher  sphere  out  of  the  benefits  that  lie  in  a  lower  order. 
The  casual  motive  of  the  enterprise  that  has  covered  New 
England  with  nerves,  of  which  our  city  is  the  brain,  was  not 
distinctly  philanthropic.  Perhaps  it  was  chiefly  selfish.”  *  *  * 
“  But  Providence  had  another  and  a  higher  use  for  those  iron 
tracks  and  flying  trains.  After  the  mercantile  heart  had  devised 
and  secured  them,  God  took  them  for  his  purposes,  without 
paying  any  tax  for  the  privilege,  he  uses  them  to  quicken  the 
activity  of  men  ;  to  send  energy  and  vitality  where  before 
was  silence  and  barrenness  ;  to  multiply  cities  and  villages, 
studded  with  churches,  dotted  with  schools,  and  filled  with 
happy  homes  and  budding  souls  ;  to  increase  wealth  which 
shall  partially  be  devoted  to  his  service  and  kingdom,  and  all 
along  their  banks  to  make  the  wilderness  blossom  as  the  rose. 
Without  any  vote  of  permission  from  legislatures  and  officials, 
even  while  the  cars  are  loaded  with  profitable  freight  and 
paying  passengers,  and  the  groaning  engines  are  earning  the 
necessary  interest,  Providence  sends,  without  charge,  its  car¬ 
goes  of  good  sentiment  and  brotherly  feeling  ;  disburses  the 
culture  of  the  city  to  the  simplicity  of  the  hamlet,  and  brings 
back  the  strength  and  virtue  of  the  village  and  mountain  to 
the  wasting  faculties  of  the  metropolis ;  and  fastens  to  every 
steam-shuttle  that  flies  back  and  forth  and  hither  and  thither, 
an  invisible  thread  of  fraternal  influence,  which,  entwining 
sea-shore  and  hill-country,  mart  and  grain-field,  forge  and 
factory,  wharf  and  mine,  slowly  prepares  society  to  realize,  one 
day,  the  Saviour’s  prayer,  “that  they  all  may  be  one.”  *  *  *  * 
“  It  is  good,”  then,  “  that  mountains  shall  be  graded,  ledges 
blasted,  fair  roads  built,  deserts  fertilized,  swamps  filled, 
marshes  drained,  and  machinery  invented;  and  just  as  fast  as 
these  objects  are  accomplished,  better  results  than  thrifty 
enterprise  had  in  view  supervene.  There  is  more  intelli¬ 
gence,  more  generosity,  more  enjoyment,  more  advantages 
for  securing  the  great  ends  of  human  life.” 

*  *  *  “  The  visit  of  our  excellent  Chief  Magistrate  and  his 
Cabinet  bore  witness,  by  the  speed  with  which  they  reached 
our  city  from  the  capital,  to  the  effects  of  these  material 


14 


benefits  in  making  our  countrymen  acquainted  with  each 
other,  and  in  cementing  their  fellowship.  Those  who  in¬ 
dulge  fears  for  the  stability  of  our  nation  on  account  of  the 
extent  of  its  domain,  and  who  justify  those  fears  by  the  re¬ 
corded  fortunes  of  ancient  empires  that  were  broken  by  the 
weight  of  their  territories,  do  not  appreciate  the  difference  be¬ 
tween  our  condition  and  theirs,  in  a  representative  government 
and  provincial  independence.  And  yet,  admirably  devised 
as  our  scheme  of  government  is  to  promise  central  vigor  and 
permanence,  and  to  avoid  the  perils  that  spring  from  breadth 
of  territory,  diversity  of  climate,  variety  in  habits,  prejudices, 
and  the  scale  of  culture,  and  the  conflict  of  material  and  so¬ 
cial  interests,  it  is  very  doubtful  whether  its  present  extent 
would  not  prove  too  vast  for  the  resources  of  our  Constitu¬ 
tion,  if  we  had  been  left  to  the  old  means  of  communication 
and  intercourse.  The  framers  of  our  national  charter  would 
have  considered  the  idea  of  bringing  the  shores  of  both 
oceans  under  its  sway,  and  keeping  their  inhabitants  in 
peaceful  and  fraternal  communion,  scarcely  less  than  prepos¬ 
terous  ;  and,  with  mail-coaches  for  the  only  conveyance  to 
Utah,  and  barks  doubling  Cape  Horn  as  the  swiftest  medi¬ 
ators  between  Washington  and  San  Francisco,  the  attempt 
would  be  almost  useless.  But  when  California  may  be 
brought  within  one  week’s  distance,  and  the  pioneers  of 
Iowa  and  the  planters  by  the  banks  of  the  Rio  Grande  may 
hear  the  debates  that  affect  their  interests  in  the  capitol 
before  the  speakers  reach  their  perorations,  a  new  principle  is 
introduced  which  must  modify  all  calculations  of  national 
security  drawn  from  the  infirmity  of  Athens  and  the  decline 
of  Rome.  Steam  and  the  magnetic  wires  compel  the  cor¬ 
rection  of  our  political  philosophy ;  and,  if  there  be  a  pre-' 
eminent  value  in  the  structure  of  our  civil  constitution  ;  if  it 
be  a  worthy  subject  for  rejoicing  that  the  breadth  of  a  conti¬ 
nent  should  be  brought  under  its  sway,  and  exhibit  to  the 
world  the  lasting  triumph  of  the  experiment  of  republican 
freedom,  on  a  larger  scale  than  any  upon  which  imperial 
despotisms  have  yet  displayed  their  transient  strength,  our 
gratitude  is  not  more  certainly  due  to  Providence  for  the 


15 


wisdom  and  patriotism  of  Washington,  Franklin  and  Adams, 
than  it  is  for  the  genius  of  Watt,  the  ingenuity  of  Fulton, 
and  the  mercantile  energy  which  has  threaded  our  forests 
with  rail  tracks  and  disturbed  our  waters  with  steamships 
that  conquer  tides  and  storms.” 

Considered,  therefore,  either  as  one  of  a  long  series  of 
events,  which,  dating  from  the  early  settlement  of  the  city, 
and  deriving  their  essential  elements  of  success  from  the 
character  and  institutions  of  its  people,  have  contributed  to 
its  growth  and  prosperity  ;  or  in  its  relation  to  the  social  and 
commercial  interests,  present  and  prospective,  not  of  the  city 
or  the  State  alone,  but  of  all  New  England ;  and,  in  view  of 
the  happy  influence  which  it  has  already  exerted,  and  is  des¬ 
tined,  in  its  fuller  developments  and  still  wider  extension,  yet 
more  powerfully  to  exert,  upon  the  political  relations  of  the 
States  of  our  Union,  and  upon  our  international  connexions, 
the  completion  of  the  great  system  of  railways  which,  start¬ 
ing  from  Boston,  as  a  central  point,  and  penetrating  the 
neighboring  States  in  all  directions,  have  reached  the  Cana¬ 
das  and  united  the  ocean  to  the  proud  rivers  and  the  great 
inland  seas  of  the  West,  was  an  event  too  important  to  be 
passed  by  unnoticed. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  more  immediate  and  appa¬ 
rent  motives  which  originated  and  guided  the  enterprise, — 
allowing  to  selfishness,  competition  and  rivalry  their  full  influ¬ 
ence, — to  ascribe  its  successful  execution  to  these  alone  would 
be  to  take  but  a  superficial  and  imperfect  view  of  it.  It  was 
sustained,  encouraged,  and  consummated  by  the  general,  ha¬ 
bitual  and  time-honored  spirit  of  the  community.  It  is  the 
offspring,  not  more  of  commercial  rivalry,  than  of  wise  fore¬ 
sight,  enlightened  patriotism,  and  disinterested  devotion  to 
the  public  weal. 

Such  being  the  character  of  the  enterprise,  and  the  nature 
of  our  relation  to  it  as  a  community,  it  was  natural,  as  the 
long  anticipated  day  of  its  completion,  to  which  we  had  been 
so  largely  instrumental,  and  in  which  our  interests  were  so 

*  “The  Railroad  Jubilee.  Two  Discourses  delivered  in  Hollis  street  Meeting¬ 
house.  Sunday,  Sept.  21,  1851.  By  Thomas  Starr  King.” 


16 


deeply  involved,  was  at  hand,  that  the  public  attention  should 
be  turned  to  the  subject,  and  that  its  importance  should  be 
more  directly  and  fully  realized. 

Nor  was  it  forgotten  by  the  members  of  the  government,  in 
their  consideration  of  the  subject,  that  the  proposed  celebra¬ 
tion  would  afford  to  the  city  a  favorable  opportunity  to  testify 
to  the  neighboring  Provinces,  and  so  to  the  whole  of  the 
British  Empire,  its  respectful  and  friendly  consideration.  It 
seemed  not  improper  that  that  Boston  whose  citizens  played 
so  prominent  a  part,  for  reasons  satisfactory  to  themselves, 
in  the  revolution  which  separated  the  two  nations,  should 
now,  for  reasons  equally  satisfactory,  be  no  less  prompt, 
hearty  and  energetic  in  the  work  of  their  reconciliation. 
It  seemed  to  them,  that  to  improve  this  opportunity  could 
not  fail  to  be  agreeable  to  the  heart  and  attractive  to  the 
imagination  of  every  one  in  the  community.  The  City, 
too,  is  the  metropolis  of  that  Massachusetts  whose  citizens, 
as  armed  provincial  or  continental  soldiers,  had  fought  and 
lost  and  won  many  a  fierce  battle  against  the  inhabitants  of 
those  provinces,  but  whose  recollections  of  this  border  inter¬ 
course  are  associated  with  nothing  worse  than  hard  blows 
cordially  given  and  gallantly  returned, — not  with  instances 
of  malignity,  nor  with  any  circumstances  tending  to  impair 
their  respect  for  the  personal  qualities  of  their  former  antago¬ 
nists.  As  representing  that  community,  therefore,  it  behoved 
Boston  to  avail  herself  of  the  chance  so  offered  her  to  express 
to  the  people  of  the  British  Provinces  her  thorough  apprecia¬ 
tion  of  their  character,  and  her  desire  to  consider  their 
present  friendship  as  equally  sincere  and  manly  with  their 
long-past  hostility,  and  to  say  that  while  she  remembers  her 
competitors  at  those  old  Olympic  Games  with  more  affection 
than  resentment,  yet  she  is  willing  to  propose  to  them  that 
their  mutual  competition  shall,  in  future,  be  of  a  different  sort, 
— instead  of  testing  each  other’s  power  of  destruction,  to  vie 
with  each  other  in  mutual  good  offices,  and  in  earnest  efforts 
to  advance  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  man. 

Impressed  with  such  views  and  feelings,  and  in  the  full 
confidence  that  their  motives  would  be  justly  appreciated, 


17 


and  that  their  action  would  meet  the  hearty  approval  of  their 
fellow-citizens,  the  Municipal  Authorities  of  Boston  adopted, 
at  an  early  day,  preparatory  measures  for  the  appropriate 
celebration  of  the  crowning  event  which  was  deemed  so  aus¬ 
picious  to  the  social,  political  and  commercial  interests  of  the 
city.  Encouraged  by  the  many  tokens  of  interest  in  the  oc¬ 
casion,  which  were  manifested  both  at  home  and  abroad,  and 
animated  by  the  desire  of  rendering  the  celebration  worthy  of 
the  character  of  the  city  over  whose  interests  they  presided, 
and  in  some  measure  commensurate  with  the  magnitude  of 
the  work  to  be  commemorated,  they  resolved  to  devote  three 
days  to  this  purpose,  and  accordingly  designated  the  17th, 
18th  and  19th  of  September  to  be  observed  as  days  of  public 
rejoicing. 

The  occasion  has  passed  ;  all  the  outward  signs  of  rejoicing 
have  disappeared ;  and  the  multitude,  who  had  gathered  to 
our  City  from  far  and  near  to  witness  our  prosperity  and  hap¬ 
piness,  to  partake  our  hospitality,  and  share  our  joy,  have 
long  since  left  us.  But  the  memory  of  those  days  still  lives  ; 
the  friendly  and  fraternal  relations  then  formed,  we  trust, 
will  never  be  destroyed, — and  the  happy  influences  which 
naturally  emanate  from  such  an  occasion,  will,  as  we  hope, 
continue  to  exert  a  living  power  long  after  the  name  of  the 
Railroad  Jubilee  shall  have  sunk  into  oblivion. 

That  Jubilee  must,  however,  for  a  long  time,  be  regarded 
as  an  interesting  occurrence  in  the  history  of  Boston.  The 
magnitude  of  the  enterprises  whose  accomplishment  it  was 
designed  to  celebrate,  the  number  of  distinguished  persons 
from  distant  parts  of  our  own  country  and  from  the  neigh¬ 
boring  Provinces  of  Great  Britain,  who  honored  it  with  their 
presence — the  vast  multitudes  who  gathered  from  all  quarters 
to  witness  and  share  its  festivities — the  extent  and  variety 
of  the  preparations  made  to  ensure  its  success,  and  the  gen¬ 
erous  and  hearty  zeal  for  its  promotion,  manifested  by  every 
class  of  our  citizens,  all  served  to  invest  the  occasion  with 
more  than  ordinary  interest.  As  a  not  unimportant  event 
in  our  history,  therefore,  it  is  worthy  of  a  permanent  de¬ 
scription  ;  and,  as  furnishing  a  striking  picture  of  the  times, 


o 

d 


18 


as  expressing  the  sentiment  and  embodying  some  of  the 
most  important  characteristics  of  the  age,  it  will  have  a 
high  value  in  the  eyes  of  the  future  historian,  and  will  be 
looked  back  upon  by  succeeding  generations  with  the  same 
interest,  and  let  us  hope,  with  something  of  the  same 
pride  and  satisfaction,  with  which  we  now  dwell  upon 
the  acts  of  those  who  have  preceded  us.  But  not  for  the 
future  only  should  an  account  of  this  event  be  written. 
The  interest  in  the  occasion  has  not  yet  so  died  out  in  our 
own  hearts,  that  we  may  not  derive  some  satisfaction  from  a 
review  of  its  pleasing  features ;  and  by  the  many  sons  of  New 
England  scattered  all  over  our  land  and  the  world,  it  must  be 
welcomed  with  some  pleasure,  if  only  as  a  voice  from  home, 
while,  to  those  both  at  home  and  abroad,  who  are  not  familiar 
with  our  history,  resources  and  institutions,  it  may  serve  to 
give  more  correct  views  of  us  as  a  community. 

It  is  proposed,  therefore,  to  give  as  accurate  and  circum¬ 
stantial  an  account  as  is  possible,  of  the  three  days’  Jubilee, 
and  every  effort  has  been  made  to  ensure  its  completeness,  and 
also,  to  furnish  in  an  Appendix  such  statistical  and  other 
matter  as  may  have  relation  to  the  subject,  or  serve  to  illus¬ 
trate  the  past  or  present  character  and  condition  of  our  City. 

That  there  must  be  many  imperfections  in  the  manner  in 
which  this  task  has  been  executed,  and  doubtless  some  im¬ 
portant  omissions,  every  intelligent  person  will  readily  under¬ 
stand.  It  is  hoped,  however,  that,  as  they  are  involuntary,  if 
not  unavoidable,  they  will  be  as  readily  forgiven. 


19 


THE  JUBILEE. 

On  the  14th  of  July,  the  first  public  measure  was  adopted 
by  the  City  Government  for  the  institution  of  the  celebra¬ 
tion,  by  the  passage  of  the  following  Preamble  and 
Resolves  : — 

“  In  Board  of  Mayor  and  Aldermen , 
July  14,  1851. 

“  The  Mayor  oftered  the  following  Preamble  and  Resolve  : — 
Whereas  it  is  understood  that  the  line  of  Railways,  uniting 
the  Cities  of  Montreal  and  Boston,  will  be  completed  during 
the  present  month,  and  whereas  it  is  desirable  that  an  event 
so  important  should  be  appropriately  celebrated — Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  whole  Board  of  Mayor  and  Aldermen, 
with  such  as  the  Common  Council  may  join,  be  a  Committee 
with  full  powers  to  consider  and  report  what  action  shall  be 
taken  by  the  City  Government  of  Boston  in  the  premises. 
Sent  down  for  concurrence.  Came  up  concurred,  and 


Francis  Brinley,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Common  Council, 

Messrs.  Charles  H.  Stearns, 

- 

- 

of  Ward  1, 

.Tames  B.  Allen, 

mm 

-  ’ 

tt 

2, 

Hiram  Bosworth,  - 

- 

- 

a 

3, 

Henry  J.  Gardner, 

- 

- 

u 

4, 

Benjamin  Beal, 

- 

- 

a 

5, 

John  P.  Putnam,  - 

mm 

- 

a 

6, 

James  W.  Sever,  - 

- 

- 

u 

7, 

Daniel  N.  Haskell, 

- 

- 

a 

8, 

Newell  A.  Thompson,  - 
Ezra  Lincoln,  (and  by  a 

subsequent 

a 

9, 

vote,  Otis  Kimball,)  - 

•» 

ll 

10, 

Albert  T.  Minot,  - 

- 

- 

u 

11, 

and  Josiah  Dunham,  Jr., 
were  joined.” 

« 

u 

12, 

The  following  Preamble  and  Resolution,  which  is  the  one 
under  which  the  Committee  acted,  was  moved  in  the  Com- 


20 


mon  Council  on  the  same  evening,  by  Ezra  Lincoln,  Esq.,  as 
an  original  measure,  and  was  adopted,  sent  up  for  concur¬ 
rence,  and  concurred  in :  so  that  the  two  branches  of  the 
City  Government  equally  and  harmoniously  commenced  the 
movement. 

“Whereas,  it  is  understood  that  the  line  of  railways  uniting 
the  Cities  of  Montreal  and  Boston,  will  be  completed  during 
the  present  month,  and  whereas  it  is  deemed  that  an  event  so 
important  should  be  appropriately  celebrated,  therefore, 
Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  this  Board,  consisting  of 
one  from  each  Ward,  to  be  joined  by  a  Committee  whom  the 
Mayor  and  Aldermen  shall  appoint,  be  a  Committee  with  full 
powers  to  consider  and  determine  what  action  shall  be  taken 
by  the  City  Government  of  Boston  in  the  premises.” 

The  same  Committee  was  appointed  under  both  resolu¬ 
tions. 

At  a  meeting  of  this  Committee  on  a  subsequent  day,  the 
following  Sub-Committees  were  formed,  viz  : — 

On  Circular.  Alderman  Rogers — Messrs.  Sever  and  Put¬ 
nam. 

To  arrange  for  a  meeting  of  the  Merchants.  Alderman 
Holbrook — Messrs.  Sever  and  Gardner. 

On  Invitation  and  Reception.  The  Mayor — the  President  of 
the  Common  Council,  Aldermen  Holbrook  and  Briggs — 
Messrs.  Lincoln,  Putnam,  Haskell,  Minot,  Thompson, 
Sever,  Kimball. 

On  Escort  and  Procession.  Aldermen  Kimball  and  Mun- 
roe — Messrs.  Brinley,  Dunham,  Stearns,  Beal,  Allen,  Has¬ 
kell. 

On  a  Public  Dinner.  The  Mayor — Aldermen  Smith  and 
Munroe — Messrs.  Thompson,  Beal,  Allen  and  Dunham. 

On  Railroad  Maps.  Alderman  Kimball — Messrs.  Lincoln 
and  Minot. 

On  a  Harbor  Excursion.  The  Mayor — Alderman  Grant — 
Messrs.  Gardner,  Kimball,  Bosworth,  Lincoln  and  Beal. 

On  Fire  Works.  Aldermen  Briggs  and  Clark — Messrs. 

Haskell,  Lincoln  and  Thompson. 

On  a  Visit  to  Public  Institutions.  The  whole  Committee. 


21 


For  the  purpose  of  making  the  intentions  of  the  City  Gov¬ 
ernment,  as  expressed  by  the  above  Preamble  and  Resolve, 
more  generally  known,  of  calling  the  attention  of  the  citi¬ 
zens  more  particularly  to  the  present  and  prospective  magni¬ 
tude  of  the  interests  involved  in  our  railway  enterprises,  and 
of  inviting  their  co-operation  in  the  proposed  celebration,  the 
following  Circular  was  issued  : — 

To  the  Citizens  of  Boston : 

The  City  Government  of  Boston  propose  to  celebrate,  in  an  ap¬ 
propriate  manner,  the  final  completion  of  the  great  lines  of  rail¬ 
way  uniting  the  tide  water  at  Boston  with  the  Canadas  and  the 
great  West;  and  also  the  establishment  of  American  lines  of 
steamers  between  Boston  and  Liverpool.  The  importance  of  these 
events  to  the  great  social  and  commercial  interests  of  our  city 
can  hardly  be  exaggerated.  We  are  now  about  to  realize,  it  is 
believed,  the  full  benefit  of  those  great  enterprises,  in  the  perfect¬ 
ing  of  which  we  have  expended  so  much  capital.  There  are  now 
completed  and  in  operation,  in  Massachusetts  alone,  about  1200 
miles  of  railway;  and  in  New  England,  about  2400  miles.  Mas¬ 
sachusetts  has  expended,  in  the  completion  of  these  roads,  the 
enormous  amount  of  $54,000,000  ;  and  it  appears  from  the  re¬ 
ports  of  the  several  railroad  corporations  in  this  State,  made  to 
the  last  Legislature,  that  there  were  transported  over  the  Massa¬ 
chusetts  roads  alone,  during  the  year  1850,  9,500,000  passen¬ 
gers,  and  2,500,000  tons  of  freight.  This  statement,  however, 
but  imperfectly  presents  the  advantages  which  we  are  to  derive 
from  these  wrorks.  The  railways  of  Massachusetts  are  but  a 
small  link  in  the  great  lines  which  connect  us  with  remoter  sec¬ 
tions  of  our  country. 

The  several  lines  connecting  us  with  the  Canadas,  northern 
New  York,  the  great  lakes  and  the  far  West,  are  now  completed, 
uniting  us  by  railroad  and  steam  navigation  with  thirteen  States 
of  the  Union,  comprising  an  area  of  428,795  square  miles  ;  the 
two  Canadas,  the  lakes,  with  their  5000  miles  of  coast ;  and 
bringing  within  our  commercial  sphere  a  population  of  ten  millions 
of  inhabitants.  The  business  of  the  lakes  and  the  Canadas,  and 
its  rapid  yearly  increase,  are  worthy  of  especial  consideration.  It 
is  estimated  that  the  imports  and  exports  of  the  Lake  Harbors, 
exclusive  of  the  Canadas,  during  the  present  year,  will  be 
$200,000,000.  The  annual  increase  of  this  business  is  found  to 
be  17  1-2  per  cent.,  thus  doubling  itself  in  less  than  six  years.  In 
addition  to  this,  the  imports  and  exports  of  the  Canadas  will 
amount  during  the  present  year  to  $50,000,000. 


And  now  what  are  the  advantages  which  Boston  possesses,  for 
doing  this  immense  business  ?  These  are  so  manifest,  that  their 
importance  will  be  readily  appreciated.  Her  harbor  is  one  of  the 
finest  in  the  world.  Her  wharves  and  storage  accommodations 
are  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  those  of  any  other  city,  and  capable 
of  indefinite  extension.  Her  local  position  is  unrivalled,  and  the 
enterprise  and  integrity  of  her  merchants  are  well  known.  The 
lines  of  railway  to  which  we  have  alluded,  all  centre  in  her  and 
radiate  from  her.  It  is  ascertained,  from  the  actual  results  of 
this  year’s  business,  that  under  favorable  circumstances,  ail  kinds 
of  provisions  can  be  brought  from  the  West,  through  these  new 
lines  of  communication,  to  Boston,  more  speedily  and  at  a  less 
expense  than  to  any  other  Atlantic  port. 

In  this  connection  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  remark  that  the  books 
of  the  Custom  House  show,  that  the  merchandise  transported  to 
the  Canadas  from  the  district  of  Boston  and  Charlestown,  for  the 
six  months  ending  June  80,  1851,  was  more  than  quadruple  that 
of  the  six  months  next  preceding  January  1,  1851. 

Merchandise  can  be  landed  at  Ogdenslourgh,  on  Lake  Ontario, 
put  on  board  the  cars  at  that  place,  brought  to  Boston  without 
trans-shipment,  and  from  here  exported  to  England  by  means  of 
our  steamships,  in  a  much  less  time  than  it  can  be  done  by  any 
other  route.  It  seems  to  us,  then,  that  Boston  has  every  facility 
for  becoming  a  great  exporting  as  well  as  importing  city.  Cargoes 
from  Liverpool  in  steamships,  via  Boston,  may  be  delivered  in 
Montreal  in  twelve  days. 

This  fact,  taken  in  connection  with  the  fact  that  the  St.  Law¬ 
rence  is  closed  by  ice  during  five  months  of  the  year,  and  that 
the  communication  with  Boston  is  uninterrupted  during  the  whole 
year,  must  make  Boston,  as  it  seems  to  us,  the  port  of  entry  for 
the  Canadas,  thus  opening  to  us  a  business,  the  extent  of  which 
we  have  not  begun  to  realize.  The  eligibility  of  our  location  as  a 
shipping  port  for  the  Canadas,  will  be  seen  by  the  following  state¬ 
ment  of  distances,  as  compared  with  New  York. 

Prom  Liverpool,  via  Halifax  To  Boston,  2876  miles.  To  New  York,  3093  miles 


“  “  direct  -  -  -  2856  “  “  “  3073  “ 

.From  Halifax .  368  “  “  580  “ 

From  Montreal  ....  344  £:  “  “  398  “ 

The  distance  from  Liverpool  to  Montreal  via  Boston  is  3200  “ 

AVhile  via  New  York  it  is .  3471  “ 


The  difference  between  Liverpool  and  Montreal,  in  favor  of 
Boston  over  New  \"ork,  is  271  miles. 

In  view  of  the  above  facts,  and  in  conformity  with  the  expressed 
twishes  of  many  of  the  citizens  of  Boston,  the  City  Government 
propose,  to  celebrate  the  completion  of  these  lines  of  railways,  by 
a  festival  in  Eaneuil  Hall,  and  other  appropriate  ceremonies.  It 


23 


is  proposed  to  invite  to  be  present  with  us  on  that  occasion,  the 
Governor-General  of  Canada,  his  Staff  and  Cabinet,  the  leading 
members  of  the  Canadian  Parliament,  the  Corporation  of  Mon¬ 
treal,  the  leading  merchants  in  all  the  Canadian  cities  and  Ogdens- 
burg,  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  his  Cabinet,  the 
Governors  of  the  New  England  States,  the  Presidents  of  all  the 
Railways  in  New  England,  the  Mayors  of  the  cities  of  New  Eng¬ 
land,  and  others  interested  in  railways  and  steam  navigation. 

We  cordially  invite  the  co-operation  of  our  fellow  citizens  of 
Boston,  in  order  that  this  celebration  may  be  made  in  some  de¬ 
gree  commensurate  with  the  great  importance  of  the  events  to  be 
celebrated. 

Eor  the  Committee  of  Arrangements, 

John  P.  Bigelow,  Mayor . 

City  Hall ,  Boston ,  August  1,  1851. 

The  facts  disclosed  in  this  circular  place  in  a  strong  light 
the  importance  of  the  growing  trade  of  Canada  and  our  re¬ 
lations  to  it ;  and  as,  on  the  completion  of  the  lines  of  road 
leading  northward  and  westward,  we  should  be  brought  within 
twelve  hours  travel  of  Montreal,  one  of  her  principal  cities, 
and  thus  the  way  be  opened  for  an  unbroken,  rapid  and  mu¬ 
tually  advantageous  intercourse,  it  was  peculiarly  appropriate 
that  our  Canadian  friends  should  be  invited  to  be  present  at 
the  celebration,  and  that  we  should  give  expression  to  our 
wish  to  be  united  to  them  by  the  golden  chains  of  friendly 
and  social  regard,  as  well  as  by  the  iron  bands  of  commercial 
interest. 

To  this  end  it  was  deemed  advisable  that  a  deputation  from 
the  General  Committee  should  personally  visit  the  Canadas. 

_  V 

This  was  accordingly  done,  and  the  Sub-Committee,  consist¬ 
ing  of  Mr.  Francis  Brinley,  President  of  the  Council,  and 
Messrs.  Lincoln,  Putnam,  Haskell,  Thompson,  Sever,  Kim¬ 
ball  and  Gardner,  proceeded  upon  their  mission,  charged 
with  the  following  note  of  invitation  from  the  Mayor  to  the 
Governor  General : 


“  Boston,  Aug.  8,  1851. 

Mr  Lord, — 

The  City  Government  of  Boston  propose  to  celebrate,  at 
an  early  day,  with  appropriate  ceremonies,  the  completion  of 


24 


the  great  lines  of  railway  uniting  Boston  with  the  Canadas 
and  the  Western  States,  and  I  am  directed  to  invite  you  to 
honor  us  with  your  presence  upon  the  occasion.  The  invi¬ 
tation  I  accordingly  now  most  respectfully  transmit,  assuring 
you  that  your  acceptance  would  gratify  this  community  gen¬ 
erally,  and  that  you  would  be  received  by  this  City  as  a  most 
welcome  and  honored  guest. 

A  select  Committee  of  our  City  Council  are  charged  with 
the  delivery  of  this  note,  and  will  solicit  your  compliance 
with  the  wishes  of  the  Government  and  people  whom  they 
represent. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect, 

Your  Lordship’s  obedient  servant, 

John  Prescott  Bigelow, 

Mayor  of  Boston. 

To  His  Excellency  the  Earl  of  Elgin  and  Kincardine ,  Captain- General  and  Gov¬ 
ernor-in- Chief  of  the  British  Possessions  in  North  America.” 


The  Sub-Committee  were,  everywhere,  received  with  the 
utmost  cordiality,  and  entertained  with  that  genuine  English 
hospitality  so  familiar  to  our  admiration,  and  all  their  bright 
anticipations  were  more  than  realized. 

The  following  account  of  their  visit,  drawn  up  from  a  se¬ 
ries  of  letters  written,  on  the  return  of  the  delegation,  by 
one  of  its  members,*  and  published  in  one  of  the  news¬ 
papers,  (the  Daily  Atlas,)  may  be  read  with  interest  in  this 
connexion.  As  the  delegation  represented  the  City  of  Boston, 
the  courtesies  and  kindness  extended  to  its  members  by  the 
citizens  of  Canada  require  this  public  acknowledgement. 

The  Committee  were  furnished  by  the  Presidents  of  the 
northern  lines  of  railway  with  free  passes  over  the  various 
roads,  and  by  our  merchants  and  public  men  with  letters  of 
introduction  to  the  Canadian  merchants  and  authorities  ;  and, 
animated  with  the  desire  to  render  the  Railroad  Jubilee  of 
1851  worthy  of  the  character  of  the  city  whose  representatives 
they  were,  they  left  Boston  on  Saturday,  August  9th,  and  pro¬ 
ceeded  by  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad  to  Lawrence,  and 


*  Daniel  X.  Haskell,  Esq. 


25 


thence  by  the  Manchester  and  Lawrence,  Concord,  Northern, 
and  Vermont  Central  Railroads  to  Northfield,  Vermont.  At 
Northfield  they  were  most  hospitably  entertained,  and  had 
an  interview  with  the  Hon.  Charles  Paine,  and  his  associates 
in  the  direction  of  the  Vermont  Central,  and  Vermont  and 
Canada  Roads,  from  whom,  and  from  other  gentlemen  con¬ 
nected  with  the  lines  of  road  to  Canada,  they  obtained  much 
valuable  information. 

As  it  was  the  design  and  purpose  of  the  City  Authorities 
to  make  the  celebration  one  of  a  general  character,  a  portion 
of  the  Committee  passed  over  from  Northfield  to  Burlington 
to  confer  with  the  President  and  Officers  of  the  Burlington 
and  Rutland  Railroad,  and  make  arrangements  with  them 
respecting  the  passage  over  their  road  of  such  of  our  Cana¬ 
dian  friends  as  might  wish  to  travel  by  that  route. 

The  Committee  left  Northfield  at  5  o’clock,  A.  M.,  on 
Monday,  August  11th,  and  arrived  at  West  Alburgh,  a  dis¬ 
tance  of  ninety  miles,  in  three  and  a  half  hours  running  time, 
or  four  hours,  including  stops.  They  crossed  Lake  Cham¬ 
plain  in  the  steamer  Ethan  Allen,  and  found  that  arrange¬ 
ments  had  been  made  for  their  accommodation  by  the  agents 
and  officers  of  the  Ogdensburg,  or  “Northern”  Road,  as  it  is 
called  in  the  region  through  which  it  passes. 

In  crossing  Lake  Champlain,  the  steamer’s  course  was 
parallel  with  the  extensive  structure,  built  under  authority 
of  an  act  of  the  New  York  Legislature,  passed  at  its  last 
session,  by  means  of  which  the  trains  will  pass  across  an 
opening  between  two  piers,  upon  a  long  floating  barge,  pro¬ 
pelled  by  steam,  and  arranged  to  float  into  square  sections  at 
each  end  of  the  piers.  This  work  is  so  nearly  completed  that 
only  a  short  time  will  be  required  to  enable  a  train  to  cross 
this  open  space.  The  roads  which  terminate  at  this  point 
have  a  large  area  secured  for  their  accommodation. 

The  cars  of  the  Ogdensburg  Road  were  here  taken.  The 
train  consisted  of  five  well-filled  passenger  cars,  and  the 
smoothness  with  which  it  passed  at  a  high  rate  of  speed  over 
the  rails,  was  the  subject  of  general  remark.  The  road 
passes  through  a  level  region,  and  although  the  soil  does 

4 


26 


not  appear  to  be  in  a  very  high  state  of  cultivation,  yet,  at 
some  points  of  the  line,  there  is  sufficient  evidence  that  it  is 
capable  of  producing  heavy  crops.  When  settled  upon  and 
improved,  this  country  will  doubtless  be  one  of  the  finest 
agricultural  regions  in  the  northern  part  of  the  United 
States. 

New  buildings  are  already  springing  up  along  the  entire 
course  of  the  road,  and  at  each  stopping  place  there  were  un¬ 
mistakable  evidences  that  the  increased  facilities  for  business, 
which  the  road  furnishes,  were  exerting  a  most  beneficial  in¬ 
fluence  upon  the  trade  and  growth  of  the  small  towns 
through  which  it  passes. 

At  the  town  of  Malone,  about  sixty  miles  from  Rouse’s 
Point,  the  Committee  met  T.  P.  Chandler,  Esq.,  President 
of  the  Ogdensburg  Road,  Col.  C.  L.  Schlatter,  its  superin¬ 
tendent,  and  Mr.  Hoyle  and  Mr.  Horton,  two  of  the  direc¬ 
tors. 

These  three  gentlemen  accompanied  the  Delegation  over 
the  road,  and  Col.  Schlatter  kindly  offered  to  go  to  Toronto 
with  them.  The  offer  was  accepted,  and  as  this  gentleman 
was  well  known  throughout  the  route,  his  assistance  was  of 
great  service.  The  officers  of  the  railroad,  and  all  persons 
interested  in  the  various  lines  communicating  with  it,  ex¬ 
pressed  deep  interest  in  the  objects  of  the  Committee,  and 
most  kindly  offered  them  their  aid. 

The  train,  after  leaving  Rouse’s  Point,  reached  Ogdens¬ 
burg  in  five  and  a  half  hours.  This  place  is  four  hundred 
miles  from  Boston.  The  average  speed  at  which  the  entire 
journey  had  been  accomplished  was  twenty-two  miles  an 
hour,  including  stops. 

The  lands  owned  by  the  railway  company  at  Ogdensburg 
are  very  extensive.  The  buildings  are  very  large,  and  make  a 
fine  appearance  from  the  water.  A  short  examination  showed 
that  the  most  ample  arrangements  had  been  made  for  the 
accommodation  of  all  kinds  of  freight,  and  for  the  safety  and 
convenience  of  vessels  engaged  in  its  transportation. 

The  deputation  took  passage,  at  Ogdensburg,  in  the  steamer 
Niagara,  for  Lewiston,  and  as  the  boat  passed  out  into  the 


POSTON  COLLEGE  LIB  R  AP 
QrttSTNJT  HILL.  MA^* 


27 

middle  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  her  passengers  had  a  fine 
view  of  the  town,  situated,  as  it  is,  upon  ground  somewhat 
elevated  above  the  river,  and  presenting  a  very  handsome 
appearance.  The  St.  Lawrence  is  about  a  mile  and  a  quarter 
wide  at  this  point.  Upon  the  Canada  side,  opposite  Ogdens- 
burg,  and  situated  upon  a  beautiful  rising  ground,  is  the  town 
of  Prescott,  over  the  sign  of  whose  Customs  Warehouse  the 
English  arms,  with  the  letters  Y.  R.,  were  the  first  indica¬ 
tions  noticed  that  the  party  had  reached  the  British  Prov¬ 
inces. 

The  sail  upon  the  St.  Lawrence,  on  board  of  the  spacious 
and  commodious  steamer,  was  most  delightful.  The  power¬ 
ful  engines  of  the  “ Niagara”  forced  her  through  the  oppos¬ 
ing  current  at  a  rapid  rate,  and  the  route  led  among  the 
famous  “  Thousand  Islands  ”  and  through  scenery  of  the 
most  picturesque  and  interesting  description.  Early  in  the 
evening  the  boat  was  gliding  over  the  waters  of  Lake  Ontario, 
and  at  dawn  the  fort  at  Niagara  was  in  sight.  Arrived  at 
Lewiston,  a  portion  of  the  Committee  took  passage  in  a 
steamer  for  Hamilton,  situated  about  forty  miles  west  from 
Toronto,  and  from  its  rapidly  increasing  commerce  and 
wealth,  popularly  called  the  “  Queen  of  the  West  while 
the  rest  of  the  Delegation  left  for  Toronto  on  board  the  fine 
English  steamer  “  City  of  Toronto,”  Capt.  Dick.  Fortu¬ 
nately,  Capt.  Cotten,  an  aid-de-camp  to  the  Governor-Gen¬ 
eral,  was  among  the  passengers,  and  the  Committee  having 
been  introduced  to  him,  arrangements  were  at  once  made 
with  him  in  furtherance  of  the  objects  of  their  mission. 

After  a  sail  of  about  three  hours,  the  city  of  Toronto  was  in 
sight,  and  its  public  buildings  easily  distinguished.  On  land¬ 
ing,  the  Delegation  were  received  by  the  Mayor  and  members 
of  the  Corporation,  and  by  several  Cabinet  Ministers  of  the 
Governor-General.  The  news  of  the  intended  visit  of  the 
Committee  had  preceded  their  arrival,  and  the  authorities 
were  prepared  to  welcome  them.  After  a  formal  introduc¬ 
tion,  the  authorities  of  Toronto  accompanied  the  Deputation 
to  their  hotel,  from  the  proprietor  of  which,  Mr.  Beard,  the 
Committee  received  numerous  and  valuable  attentions. 


28 


In  a  short  time  after  the  arrival  of  the  Delegation,  the  Gov¬ 
ernor-General,  through  the  medium  of  his  aid-de-camp, 
assigned  an  early  hour  for  an  interview  at  the  Government 
House.  At  the  time  appointed,  the  Committee  waited  upon 
Lord  Elgin,  and  were  received  with  a  gratifying  cordiality. 
Their  letters  of  invitation  and  introduction  were  delivered, 
and  the  objects  of  their  mission  stated.  The  interview  was 
one  of  the  most  agreeable  character,  and  the  Committee  with 
great  pleasure  accepted  the  Governor’s  polite  invitation  to 
dine  with  him  on  the  ensuing  day. 

Upon  the  afternoon  of  the  arrival  of  the  Committee,  the 
band,  attached  to  the  regiment  stationed  at  Toronto,  played 
for  the  amusement  of  the  public  in  the  grounds  of  the  Gov¬ 
ernment  House,  which  were  thrown  open  for  visitors  ;  and 
though  there  was  a  large  collection  of  people  and  no  guards 
or  police  upon  the  ground,  the  most  perfect  decorum  pre¬ 
vailed. 

During  the  performance  by  the  band,  the  piazza  of  the 
Government  House  was  filled  with  distinguished  .personages. 
The  Committee  were  there  introduced  to  the  members  of 
the  Cabinet  and  the  Staff,  officers  of  the  army,  and  many 
members  of  Parliament. 

The  Hon.  Sir  Hew  Dalrymple,  commander  of  the  71st 
regiment  of  Highlanders,  stationed  at  this  place,  politely 
offered  to  order  a  dress  parade  of  his  regiment,  the  next 
morning,  for  the  especial  pleasure  of  the  Delegation.  His 
politeness  was  readily  accepted,  and  the  city  officers  volun¬ 
teered  to  conduct  their  guests  to  the  barracks  and  parade 
ground. 

The  Mayor  and  Corporation  accepted  the  invitation  of  the 
Committee  to  visit  Boston  on  the  occasion  of  the  Railroad 
Jubilee,  and  the  principal  mercantile  houses,  to  whom  letters 
of  introduction  had  been  sent,  were  very  much  interested  in 
the  proposed  festivities.  Through  the  agency  of  the  mer¬ 
chants,  bankers,  and  public  officers,  the  names  of  the  most 
prominent  merchants  in  Canada  West  were  obtained,  and 
invitations  were  forwarded  to  them. 


The  Parliament  Houses  were  visited  in  the  evening,  when 
both  branches  were  in  session,  and  both  engaged  in  debating 
the  question  of  asking  for  a  loan  from  the  Imperial  Parlia¬ 
ment,  for  the  construction  of  a  continuous  railway  from 
Toronto  to  Halifax.  The  whole  subject  of  railways,  with 
their  effects  upon  business,  their  advantages  over  canals,  and 
all  the  matters  incident  to  their  establishment,  were  dis¬ 
cussed.  The  speakers  in  both  Houses  made  frequent  allusions 
to  the  United  States,  and  the  experience  of  our  own  State 
and  that  of  New  England  were  often  adduced,  in  support  or 
in  illustration  of  their  arguments. 

After  devoting  the  next  morning  to  business  connected  with 
their  mission  in  Canada  West,  the  Delegation  met  the  City 
Authorities  by  appointment,  and  proceeded  in  carriages  to  the 
parade  ground  and  barracks,  situated  about  two  miles  west 
from  the  business  portion  of  the  city. 

The  71st  Regiment  of  Light  Infantry,  Highlanders,  un¬ 
der  the  command  of  Col.  Dalrymple,  were  formed  in  line 
inside  the  barrack  enclosure.  They  marched  to  the  parade 
ground,  about  half  a  mile  from  their  quarters,  and  were 
drawn  up  in  line,  ready  to  receive  the  Governor-General.  As 
the  clock  in  a  neighboring  tower  struck  the  hour  appointed 
for  the  review,  a  trumpet  announced  the  arrival  of  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief,  Lord  Elgin,  with  his  Staff,  who  were  received 
with  the  customary  honors.  The  regiment  was  about  800 
strong.  After  the  review,  many  battalion  manoeuvres  were 
performed  with  great  exactness.  The  parade  closed  with 
a  drill  of  the  regiment  as  skirmishers,  in  which  all  the 
movements  of  light  troops  in  presence  of  an  enemy,  the 
formation  of  squares  to  resist  cavalry,  and  similar  evolutions, 
were  exhibited  with  great  accuracy  and  fine  effect. 

The  Provincial  Institution  for  the  Insane  was  next  visited. 
The  building  occupied  for  this  purpose,  finely  located,  and 
having  very  large  grounds  connected  with  it,  is  about  the 
size  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  in  Boston.  It  is 
a  noble  monument  of  the  philanthropy  of  the  Province.  In¬ 
ternally,  it  is  a  pattern  of  neatness  and  good  order,  and 


30 


contains  all  the  most  approved  arrangements  for  warming 
and  ventilating. 

In  returning  to  the  city,  the  extensive  grounds  of  the 
University  were  visited.  One  of  the  most  gratifying  circum¬ 
stances,  connected  with  the  present  social  condition  of  Canada 
West,  is  the  deep  interest  taken  by  all  classes  of  the  popula¬ 
tion  in  the  subject  of  popular  education.  The  last  report  of 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Ryerson,  the  Superintendent  of  the  Schools  of 
the  Province,  states  the  number  of  public  schools  to  be  3059  ; 
and  the  number  of  pupils  151,891.  In  Toronto,  a  fine 
building,  situated  in  an  open  square  of  nearly  eight  acres, 
will  be  finished  this  year,  for  the  Provincial  Normal  School. 
The  building  and  land  will  cost  $60,000.  The  corner  stone 
was  laid  on  the  2nd  of  July  last,  by  Lord  Elgin,  who  pro¬ 
nounced  a  most  able  and  eloquent  address  upon  the  occasion, 
which  has  since  been  published  and  eagerly  sought  for.  Dr. 
Ryerson,  a  devoted  and  eminent  clergyman  of  the  Methodist 
church,  has,  by  his  zeal  and  devotion  to  the  cause  of  popular 
education,  infused  his  own  enthusiasm  into  the  public  mind 
to  such  a  degree,  that,  last  year,  the  people  of  Canada  West 
voluntarily  taxed  themselves,  for  the  salaries  of  teachers,  a 
larger  sum,  in  proportion  to  their  numbers,  and  kept  open 
their  schools,  on  an  average,  more  months,  than  the  neighbor¬ 
ing  citizens  of  the  great  State  of  New  York. 

In  the  evening,  the  delegation  dined  at  Elmsley  House, 
the  residence  of  the  Governor-General.  The  party  consisted 
of  the  accomplished  host  and  hostess,  Lord  and  Lady  Elgin, 
their  suite,  the  speakers  of  both  branches  of  the  Legisla¬ 
ture,  two  members  of  the  Cabinet  and  their  predecessors,  Sir 
Hew  Dalrymple,  an  English  Baptist  Clergyman,  whose  name 
has  escaped  the  writer’s  memory,  Lieut.  De  Lancy  Floyd 
Jones,  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  Hon.  Charles  Paine,  of  Vermont, 
Col.  Schlatter,  of  Ogdensburg,  and  the  members  of  the 
Committee.  The  conversation  was  confined  to  the  topics 
naturally  suggested  by  the  mission  of  the  Bostonians,  the 
present  happy  relations  existing  between  the  two  govern¬ 
ments,  and  the  progress  made  by  the  people  of  New  England 
in  the  arts  of  peaceful  industry. 


31 


After  retiring  from  Lord  Elgin’s,  and  in  accordance  with 
arrangements  previously  made,  the  Committee,  in  company 
with  the  Cabinet  Ministers,  attended  a  brilliant  levee  at  the 
residence  of  one  of  the  principal  citizens  of  Toronto.  A 
numerous  and  elegant  company  were  assembled,  and  the 
evening  passed  in  a  most  agreeable  manner. 

The  Committee  were  gratified  to  learn  from  Lord  Elgin, 
that  he  would  visit  Boston,  if  the  state  of  public  affairs  would 
allow  him  to  leave  the  Province  at  the  period  of  the  com¬ 
memorative  festivities,  and  were  charged  by  him  with  the 
following  reply  to  the  Mayor’s  note  of  invitation : 

“  Toronto,  Aug.  15,  1851. 

Sir, 

Your  very  kind  and  obliging  letter  of  the  8th  inst.,  has 
been  handed  to  me  by  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Committee  of 
the  City  Council  who  were  charged  with  its  delivery. 

1  am  very  sensible  of  the  honor  done  me  by  the  Authorities 
of  the  City  of  Boston,  in  inviting  me  to  be  the  guest  of  the 
City  on  the  occasion  of  the  proposed  Railway  celebration. 
I  feel  moreover  a  sincere  interest  in  the  completion  of  the 
great  lines  of  communication  stretching  from  Boston  towards 
the  North  and  West,  of  which  I  witnessed  the  very  promis¬ 
ing  beginning  in  the  winter  of  1846-7.  I  would,  therefore, 
gladly,  if  it  were  in  my  power  to  do  so,  accept  at  once  the 
invitation  which  has  been  so  courteously  conveyed  to  me  by 
your  Honor,  and  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Deputation.  My  time, 
however,  is  not  altogether,  as  I  have  more  fully  explained  to 
those  Gentlemen,  at  my  own  disposal.  lam  compelled  there¬ 
fore  to  add  that,  much  as  I  should  desire  to  visit  Boston,  and 
to  tender  my  thanks  to  yourself  and  the  other  authorities  of 
the  City,  in  person,  my  movements  must  depend  on  the  state 
of  public  business  within  the  Province. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 

Your  Ob’t.  Ser’t., 

Elgin  and  Kincardine. 

To  His  Honor,  John  Prescott  Bigelow, 

Mayor  of  Boston .” 


32 


The  Cabinet  ministers,  many  members  of  Parliament,  offi¬ 
cers  of  the  army,  and  other  official  personages,  also  accepted 
invitations  to  be  present  at  the  celebration. 

Daring  the  last  morning  of  their  stay,  the  Committee  were 
visited  by  a  large  number  of  the  principal  merchants  and 
bankers  of  the  city.  Members  of  Parliament,  and  of  the 
Cabinet,  furnished  them  with  letters  of  introduction  to  several 
gentlemen  in  Montreal  and  Quebec.  The  officers  of  the 
Army  and  the  mayor  and  officers  of  the  Corporation  called  to 
pay  their  parting  respects,  and  quite  a  deputation  from  vari¬ 
ous  classes  of  society  accompanied  them  to  the  steamer. 

The  Committee  left  Canada  West  fully  impressed  with  the 
gratifying  conviction  that  its  citizens  are  earnestly  desirous  of 
cultivating  the  acquaintance  of,  and  extending  their  business 
relations  with,  the  people  of  New  England.  The  mission  of 
the  Committee  from  Boston  occurred  at  a  most  fortunate 
period,  as  the  Provincial  Parliament  were  then  engaged  in 
the  discussion  of  the  whole  subject  of  internal  improvements, 
and  public  attention  was  engrossed  by  the  debates  upon  the 
subject. 

Canada  West  is  destined  to  be  one  of  the  most  prosperous 
and  wealthy  portions  of  the  American  continent.  Its  climate 
and  soil  are  as  favorable  to  agriculture  as  the  best  portions  of 
New  York.  The  people  have  many  sympathies  with  their 
brethren  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  lake  and  river,  and  it  is 
hoped  that  the  influence  which  will  be  exerted  by  the 
increased  facilities  for  intercommunication,  will  be  productive 
of  lasting  good  to  all  the  parties  interested  therein. 

The  Delegation  left  Toronto,  at  noon,  on  Friday  the  loth 
of  August,  for  Kingston,  where  they  arrived  at  day-break  on 
the  following  morning,  and  whence,  after  having  taken  a 
hasty  view  of  the  city,  they  proceeded  on  their  way  to  Mon¬ 
treal,  distant  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  miles.  Reaching 
Montreal  the  same  evening,  the  Delegation  found  the  Mayor 
and  members  of  the  Corporation  in  waiting  to  give  them  an 
official  reception,  after  which  they  were  conveyed  in  car¬ 
riages  to  the  Hays  House,  where  rooms  had  been  engaged 
for  them,  and  a  splendid  entertainment  prepared.  They  were 


33 


there  again  cordially  welcomed  by  the  Mayor,  and  handsome 
addresses  were  made  to  them  by  several  gentlemen  of  the 
Corporation,  which  were  responded  to  by  members  of  the 
Committee.  They  then  accepted  an  invitation  to  attend 
religious  service  at  the  Catholic  Cathedral,  on  the  following 
day. 

On  Monday,  the  Committee  devoted  the  morning  to  the 
business  of  their  mission.  They  found  the  men  of  business  in 
Montreal  quite  enthusiastic  in  relation  to  the  intended  cele¬ 
bration.  The  principal  bankers,  importers  and  merchants 
gave  the  Committee  a  warm  and  hearty  welcome,  and  assured 
them  of  their  deep  interest  in  all  those  great  schemes  of  inter¬ 
nal  improvement,  which  connect  the  Canadas  with  Boston. 
Already  the  trade  of  Montreal  has  felt  the  beneficial  results 
of  the  new  and  rapid  means  of  intercommunication,  and  her 
merchants  duly  appreciate  the  importance  of  the  roads  which 
place  her  within  a  day’s  ride  of  Boston,  and  which  no  five 
months’  frost  can  put  under  an  embargo. 

At  noon,  the  Delegation  met  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  at 
their  rooms,  where  Mr.  Brinley,  in  their  behalf,  explained  the 
objects  of  their  mission,  and,  in  behalf  of  the  City  of  Boston, 
extended  an  invitation  to  the  Corporation  of  Montreal,  to 
honor  the  Railroad  Jubilee  with  their  presence.  The  Mayor 
replied,  and  for  himself  and  his  associates,  accepted  the  invi¬ 
tation. 

At  this  interview,  the  Committee  received  and  accepted  an 
invitation  to  visit  the  “  Mountain,”  a  favorite  place  of  resort 
in  the  suburbs  of  the  city.  And,  at  the  hour  appointed,  the 
Mayor  and  Corporation  called  at  the  hotel,  and  took  up  their 
guests.  It  was  judiciously  arranged,  that  but  one  member  of 
the  Committee  should  ride  in  each  carriage,  and  that  all  politi¬ 
cal  parties  should  be  represented.  This  was  the  case  in  all 
the  cities  visited.  The  object  was,  that  no  erroneous  impres¬ 
sion  should  be  made  upon  the  minds  of  the  strangers,  and 
that  the  sentiments  of  Tories  and  Radicals,  Ministerialists 
and  members  of  the  Opposition,  French  Canadians  and  Eng¬ 
lishmen,  should  be  adequately  explained  to  each  visitor. 

5 


34 


The  ride  round  “  the  Mountain  ”  is  through  a  fine  country. 
North  of  the  city,  elegant  and  tasteful  villas  occupy  the 
land.  From  the  northern  slope  of  the  mountain,  a  magnifi¬ 
cent  panorama  meets  the  eye.  For  miles  and  miles,  the 
country  is  highly  cultivated,  and  the  scenery  is  superb.  The 
valley  of  the  Ottawa  river  can  be  distinguished  for  a  great 
distance.  To  the  South,  the  St.  Lawrence  is  seen,  and  upon 
the  opposite  shore,  the  level  country  of  Laprairie,  while 
ranges  of  mountains  in  New  York  and  Vermont  bound  the 
view  in  the  southern  and  eastern  directions. 

Monklands,  the  name  given  to  the  mansion  house  at  the 
Mountain,  where  Lord  Elgin  lived  during  his  residence  in 
Montreal,  is  finely  situated,  and  surrounded  by  venerable 
woods.  Its  internal  arrangements  are  upon  a  scale  suitable 
for  the  residence  of  a  great  Pro-consul.  After  visiting  the 
spacious  apartments  and  extensive  grounds,  the  company 
were  ushered  into  an  elegant  hall,  where  a  dinner  was  pro¬ 
vided  in  a  style  worthy  of  the  character  of  the  city  by  whose 
authorities  it  was  given. 

At  this  dinner  eloquent  speeches  were  made,  and  appropri¬ 
ate  sentiments  given.  The  place,  and  the  occasion,  the  past 
history  and  the  present  relations  of  the  respective  nations 
and  races  of  men,  who  were  thus  assembled  as  friends  and 
neighbors,  afforded  themes  for  eloquence,  which  were  ade¬ 
quately  improved. 

On  Tuesday,  after  passing  the  morning  in  the  agreeable 
duty  of  receiving  visitors  from  the  various  commercial,  pro¬ 
fessional  and  official  ranks  of  society,  the  Delegation,  in 
company  with  the  Mayor  of  Montreal,  and  a  number  of  his 
associates  in  the  City  Government,  visited  several  places  of 
note  in  the  city.  The  Catholic  Cathedral  was  first  examined, 
and  the  long  journey  to  its  tower  performed.  The  top  of 
the  tower  is  220  feet  (the  height  of  the  Bunker  Hill  Monu¬ 
ment)  above  the  level  of  the  street.  A  magnificent  view  of 
the  city  and  its  suburbs  is  obtained  at  that  great  elevation, 
and  although  the  ascent  is  a  laborious  one,  the  visitor  is  amply 
repaid  for  his  fatigue,  by  the  extent,  variety  and  beauty  of 
the  panorama  which  meets  his  eye. 


35 


Through  the  agency  of  their  municipal  guides,  the  party 
visited  three  of  the  principal  nunneries  in  the  city,  and  the 
rooms  of  the  Bank  of  Montreal,  in  which  last  they  were  re¬ 
ceived  with  great  attention  by  the  Hon.  Peter  McGill,  the 
President  of  the  institution. 

On  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  the  19th  of  August,  the 
Committee  left  Montreal  on  board  a  fine  steamer,  in  order  to 
make  a  short  visit  to  Quebec — one  of  the  oldest  cities  of 
North  America,  and  one  which  abounds  in  historical  associa¬ 
tions  of  the  most  interesting  character.  Soon  after  their 
arrival  on  the  following  morning,  they  were  visited  by 
Dr.  Sewell,  the  acting  Mayor,  and  the  objects  of  their  mis¬ 
sion  were  stated.  A  meeting  of  the  Corporation  was  arranged, 
and  the  business  connected  with  the  visit  transacted.  A  short 
time  among  the  citizens  of  Quebec  was  all  that  was  required 
to  convince  the  strangers  that  its  society  was  most  polished 
and  refined,  and  its  people  distinguished  for  urbanity,  hos¬ 
pitality,  and  courtesy. 

At  noon  the  Committee  received  an  official  and  very 
agreeable  call  from  the  municipal  authorities,  and  regretted 
that  their  limited  stay  forbade  their  acceptance  of  the  nu¬ 
merous  invitations  given  them  to  partake  the  hospitalities  of 
the  city.  The  Corporation  gratified  them  by  accepting  the 
invitation  of  the  City  of  Boston. 

The  Quebec  authorities  then  took  the  Committee  to  see 
the  Citadel,  Wolfe’s  Monument,  the  Plains  of  Abraham,  and 
other  objects  of  interest.  On  their  way  to  the  Citadel,  they 
had  an  opportunity  of  witnessing  part  of  the  ceremony  of 
“  Guard  Mounting.”  The  review  had  just  terminated,  and 
as  the  guards  broke  off  under  their  respective  officers,  and 
marched  in  various  directions  to  the  posts  assigned  them, 
they  presented  quite  an  animated  and  brilliant  spectacle. 

After  passing  through  a  long  circuitous  passage,  with  high 
walls  upon  each  side,  and  with  strongly  fortified  iron  gates  at 
each  turn,  they  soon  reached  the  heights  of  Cape  Diamond, 
and  were  within  one  of  the  strongest  fortresses  in  the  world. 
The  Citadel  of  Quebec  was  always  a  place  of  immense 
strength,  and  when  it  finally  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Eng- 


36 


lish,  in  1759,  after  a  seige  of  two  months,  it  was  by  capitula¬ 
tion,  and  the  works  had  received  no  injury. 

In  the  afternoon  the  party,  by  invitation  of  the  authorities, 
visited  the  celebrated  Falls  of  Montmorenci,  the  ride  to 
which  is  through  a  thickly  settled  agricultural  district  ;  and 
on  their  return  they  were  most  hospitably  and  splendidly 
entertained  at  the  mansion  of  Francis  Xavier  Paradis,  Esq., 
City  Councillor. 

On  Wednesday,  August  20th,  at  5  P.  M.,  the  Committee 
took  the  steamer  to  return  to  Montreal,  where  they  arrived 
early  on  Thursday  morning.  They  were  visited  at  their 
hotel  by  members  of  the  City  Government,  merchants,  offi¬ 
cers  of  the  army,  and  professional  gentlemen.  The  morning 
was  devoted  to  the  reception  of  these  gentlemen,  and  to  the 
completion  of  the  correspondence  connected  with  their  mis¬ 
sion  in  Canada. 

Col.  Horne,  accompanied  by  several  officers  of  the  twenti¬ 
eth  Regiment,  most  politely  urged  the  Committee  to  remain 
and  dine  with  the  military  gentlemen  stationed  at  this  place. 
This  compliment  was  reluctantly  declined,  but  an  arrange¬ 
ment  was  made  to  visit  the  officers  at  their  quarters,  after  the 
review,  to  partake  of  a  collation. 

At  eleven  o’clock,  the  Deputation,  accompanied  by  the 
Mayor  and  several  officers  of  the  Corporation,  visited  the 
Champ  de  Mars,  for  the  purpose  of  witnessing  a  review, 
which  had  been  ordered  out  of  respect  to  them.  The  troops 
were  in  line  at  the  hour  appointed.  A  detachment  of  the 
Royal  Artillery  was  also  upon  the  ground.  After  a  few 
movements  of  the  troops,  Lieut.  General  Rowan,  commander 
of  the  forces  in  British  North  America,  arrived,  accompa¬ 
nied  by  his  Staff.  He  was  very  attentive  to  the  Committee, 
and  they  were  indebted  to  him  for  numerous  favors.  Gen. 
Rowan  was  in  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  and,  upon  the  parade 
ground,  wore  three  medals  which  he  had  honorably  earned. 
The  review  was  very  splendid,  and  was  witnessed  by  a  large 
concourse  of  people,  who  did  not  require  either  guards  or 
police  to  keep  them  off  the  ground. 


37 


After  the  troops  were  dismissed,  the  Delegation,  by  invita¬ 
tion  of  the  General,  visited  the  island  opposite  Montreal,  ac¬ 
companied  by  the  Montreal  authorities,  and  explored  the  im¬ 
mense  military  storehouses,  the  extent  and  variety  of  the 
articles  contained  in  which  would  surprise  any  one  not 
familiar  with  the  details  of  military  expenditure.  At  the 
risk  of  encountering  incredulity,  one  fact  will  be  stated.  Upon 
reaching  the  powder  magazine,  our  party  were  supplied  with 
moccasins  for  the  purpose  of  passing  through  it.  Some  of 
the  party  declining  to  adopt  the  rule,  which  requires  this  pre¬ 
caution  on  account  of  occasional  nails  in  boot  heels,  their 
military  guide  smiled,  and  stated  that  in  case  of  accident,  the 
nearest  point  of  safety  would  be  several  miles  distant.  The 
quantity  of  powder  stored  in  the  magazine  is  upwards  of  five 
millions  of  pounds. 

Immediately  upon  their  return  to  the  city,  the  Delegation 
visited  the  quarters  of  the  officers  of  the  twentieth  regiment, 
where  an  elegant  lunch  was  served.  The  display  of  porce¬ 
lain  and  silver  was  very  splendid ;  and  nothing  could  ex¬ 
ceed  the  brilliancy  of  the  entertainment. 

Upon  their  return  to  the  hotel,  the  Committee  found  a 
large  number  of  gentlemen  waiting  to  escort  them  to  the 
boat,  on  board  of  which  they  were  to  embark  for  home. 
When  the  boat  left  the  quay,  three  hearty  cheers  were  given 
for  Boston  and  the  Delegation.  After  an  hour’s  sail  across 
the  river,  the  boat  arrived  at  Laprairie,  where  the  cars  were 
taken  for  St.  Johns.  The  party  slept  on  board  the  steamer, 
and  at  six  in  the  morning  started  for  Burlington,  and  passed 
through  a  most  beautiful  region,  the  scenery  of  which  is  ex¬ 
ceedingly  varied  and  picturesque.  The  Delegation  were  ac¬ 
companied  from  Montreal  by  Mr.  H.  D.  Doane,  the  agent  of 
the  Rutland  and  Burlington  Railroad.  At  Burlington  they 
met  Judge  Follett,  President  of  the  road,  who  accompanied 
them  to  Bellows  Falls,  and  by  his  courteous  attentions  ren¬ 
dered  the  ride  a  most  agreeable  one.  The  scenery  along  this 
route  is  magnificent.  The  train  seems  to  pass  through  the 
mountains  as  if  by  magic — a  new  scene  meets  the  eye  at 
each  moment,  and  every  person  who  has  once  passed  over 


38 


this  road  must  ever  retain  a  pleasing  remembrance  of  the 
extraordinary  beauty  of  the  Green  Hills.  At  Bellows  Falls, 
Mr.  John  S.  Dunlap,  the  newly  appointed  Superintendent  of 
the  Rutland  Road,  joined  the  party,  and  accompanied  them 
to  Boston.  Although  the  train  was  an  hour  late,  owing  to 
the  detention  of  the  steamer  by  adverse  winds,  it  arrived 
at  Keene  at  the  usual  hour.  Between  Bellows  Falls  and 
Keene,  eight  miles  were  travelled  in  ten  minutes.  The  ave¬ 
rage  speed  during  the  day,  over  the  Burlington  and  Rutland, 
Cheshire,  Vermont  and  Massachusetts,  and  Fitchburg  Roads, 
was  thirty  miles  an  hour,  including  stops.  The  officers  of 
these  roads  were  very  polite  and  attentive  to  the  Committee. 

During  their  absence  from  Boston,  the  Committee  travelled 
upwards  of  eighteen  hundred  miles,  and  had  interviews  with 
many  hundred  persons,  in  various  walks  of  life.  Though 
the  labors  of  their  mission  were  extremely  arduous,  far  more 
so  than  would  readily  be  conceived,  yet  they  were  rendered 
comparatively  light  by  the  courteous  attention  and  frank  hos¬ 
pitality  with  which  the  Committee  were  everywhere  receiv¬ 
ed  ;  and  they  returned  from  Canada  not  only  with  the 
pleasing  assurance  that  the  primary  object  of  their  journey 
had  been  successfully  accomplished,  but  with  the  delightful 
memory  of  the  events  of  those  few  days  deeply  impressed 
upon  their  hearts. 

As  the  time  for  the  Jubilee  approached,  and  it  was  known 
that  the  invitation  extended  to  our  friends  in  the  British 
Provinces  had  been  so  cordially  received,  and  that  large  num¬ 
bers  from  other  quarters  would  also  be  present,  the  general 
interest  in  the  occasion  became  every  day  more  obvious. 

Mindful  of  the  fact  that,  on  all  great  occasions  of  public 
display,  Boston  had  been  accustomed  to  present  the  pupils  of 
her  schools  as  her  brightest  jewels,  her  especial  pride,  and 
that,  without  their  presence,  any  display,  however  brilliant, 
would  be  incomplete,  and  fail  to  show  the  great  fundamental 
element  of  her  prosperity ;  the  School  Committee,  in  view  of 
the  contemplated  celebration,  unanimously  adopted  the  fol¬ 
lowing  order,  submitted  by  Francis  Brinley,  Esq.,  President 
of  the  Common  Council : — 


39 


u  In  School  Committee ,  City  Hall , 

Awg*.  26,  1851. 

Ordered ,  That  Messrs.  Wightman,  Guild,  Palmer,  Tracy, 
and  Thorndike  be  a  Committee  to  confer  with  any  Sub- 
Committee  of  the  Joint  Special  Committee  of  the  City 
Council  on  the  proposed  Railway  Celebration,  on  the  expe¬ 
diency  of  requesting  the  several  grammar  and  primary  schools 
to  participate  in  the  ceremonies  of  the  occasion,  with  author¬ 
ity  to  make  arrangements  accordingly.” 

On  Friday,  September  5th,  a  large  meeting  of  merchants 
was  held  at  the  Reading  Room  of  the  Exchange,  for  the  pur¬ 
pose  of  taking  measures  to  co-operate  with  the  City  Author¬ 
ities  in  preparing  for  the  celebration. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Samuel  Lawrence, 
Esq.,  and  J.  W.  Paige,  Esq.  was  chosen  Chairman,  and  W. 
S.  Eaton  and  Henry  Lee,  Jr.,  Secretaries. 

J.  Thomas  Stevenson,  Esq.  made  a  brief  address.  He  said 
that  it  was  a  matter  of  public  knowledge  that  the  city  author¬ 
ities,  rightly  appreciating  the  value  of  the  social  and  com¬ 
mercial  results  which  must  flow  from  the  completion  of  the 
great  lines  of  railroad  between  this  city  and  the  Canadas, 
had  proposed  a  public  celebration  of  that  event  during  three 
days  of  the  present  month.  Not  a  three-days  revolution,  but 
a  three-days  rejoicing  at  the  peaceful  conquest  which  New 
England  skill  and  New  England  enterprise  have  achieved 
over  the  barriers,  which  nature  only  seemed  to  have  inter¬ 
posed  between  us  and  those  whom  we  may  now  see,  face  to 
face,  after  a  short  and  easy  journey. 

It  is  also  well  known  that  the  Mayor  of  the  City  has  ex¬ 
tended  numerous  invitations  to  gentlemen,  distinguished  both 
in  public  and  in  private  life,  to  be  present  and  to  participate 
in  the  festivities  of  that  occasion. 

This  meeting  had  been  called  by  a  large  number  of  our 
well  known  mercantile  firms,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Mayor, 
in  order  that  all  might  co-operate  in  the  proposed  celebration, 
“  to  the  end  that  it  might  be  made  in  some  degree  commen¬ 
surate  with  the  importance  of  the  events  to  be  celebrated.” 


40 


We  all  know  that,  in  a  country  like  ours,  the  constituted 
authorities  cannot  celebrate  any  event,  as  the  citizens  of 
Boston  wish  to  see  everything,  that  is  good,  celebrated,  with¬ 
out  the  hearty  co-operation  of  the  people,  whose  agents  they 
are. 

A  great  number  of  persons  will  be  here  from  the  Canadas, 
and  the  cities  of  the  lakes,  and  we  have  been  called  together 
for  the  purpose  of  making  such  arrangements  as  may  be 
proper,  that  there  may  be  extended  to  them  the  hospi¬ 
tality  not  only  of  our  city,  but  of  our  houses  and  our  homes. 
Many  will  be  here  for  the  first  time.  They  are  coming  to 
see  our  city  and  its  commercial  advantages,  both  natural  and 
artificial  ;  and  we  all  know  how  desirable  it  is  to  cultivate  a 
personal  acquaintance  with  those  with  whom  we  are  about 
to  open  extensive  commercial  relations.  There  is  always  a 
satisfaction  in  having  seen  the  countenances  of  those  whom 
we  trade  with.  It  begets  confidence,  that  great  necessity  of 
a  commercial  community.  He  rejoiced  that  so  many  guests 
were  coming  amongst  us  ;  many  of  them  from  inland  cities 
and  the  shores  of  the  lakes,  for  the  first  time  in  their  lives  to 
snuff  the  sea  breeze,  and  to  see  where  old  Ocean  kisses  the 
continent,  as  he  rests  on  the  modestly  ruffled  bosom  of  our 
beautiful  bay. 

In  the  full  assurance  that  the  merchants  of  Boston  would 
extend  to  them  a  cordial  and  a  hearty  welcome,  and  enable 
them,  when  they  leave  us,  to  say  that  their  lines  had  fallen 
in  pleasant  places,  he  would  offer  the  following  resolutions : 

Resolved ,  That  the  establishment  of  railroad  communica¬ 
tion  between  this  city  and  the  Canadas,  and  Great  Lakes,  is 
an  event  in  which  the  commercial  community  is  deeply  in¬ 
terested,  as  it  is  calculated  to  work  great  and  beneficial 
changes  in  the  business  relations  of  the  people  of  both  na¬ 
tions  ;  and  that  as  the  advantages  which  must  result  from 
these  new  means  of  intercommunication  will  be  mutual,  it  is 
a  fit  subject  of  mutual  congratulation  and  a  proper  occasion 
for  a  common  celebration. 

Resolved ,  That  the  city  government,  having  made  the 
necessary  arrangements  for  a  proper  celebration  of  the  event 


41 


by  appropriate  ceremonies  to  take  place  on  the  17t,h,  18th, 
and  19th  instant,  it  will  be  alike  our  duty  and  our  pleasure 
to  extend  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  and  all  hospitalities  to 
those  who  may  visit  us  on  that  occasion.” 

The  Hon.  Benjamin  Seaver  then  rose  and  said  : 

Mr.  Chairman, — 

I  second  the  motion  of  my  friend,  Mr.  Stevenson,  and  cor¬ 
dially  respond  to  his  appropriate  remarks,  and  the  resolutions 
offered  by  him.  I  am  aware,  sir,  that  it  is  not  necessary  that 
another  word  should  be  spoken  to  ensure  the  unanimous  adoption 
of  the  motion,  but  I  feel  desirous  of  saying  that  this  is  no  ordi¬ 
nary  occasion  to  the  merchants  of  Boston.  That  great  consum¬ 
mation  so  long  desired  by  us  all,  the  final  completion  of  the  great 
lines  of  railway  uniting  our  city  with  the  Canadas  and  the  great 
West,  is  of  too  much  importance  to  us,  and  to  Massachusetts,  not 
to  be  celebrated  in  some  public  and  appropriate  way,  and  I  think 
that  our  city  authorities  deserve  our  thanks  for  the  manner  in 
which  they  are  preparing  to  notice  this  event.  Our  thanks,  too,  are 
especially  due  to  His  Honor,  the  Mayor,  and  to  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements  for  their  admirable  address  to  our  citizens,  which 
embraces  in  so  small  a  compass  so  much  valuable  and  reliable  in¬ 
formation.  Sir,  I  am  sure  that  there  will  be  a  very  general  willing¬ 
ness  manifested  to  co-operate  with  the  City  Government  in  carry¬ 
ing  out  the  plan  they  have  adopted.  It  is  alike  creditable  to  them 
and  to  us.  Let  us  all,  then,  do  what  we  can  to  render  the  antici¬ 
pated  visit  of  our  Canadian  friends  interesting  and  pleasant  to 
them.  I  hope  that  the  resolutions  will  pass  unanimously. 

The  question  was  then  taken,  and  the  resolutions  were 
unanimously  adopted. 

Mr.  Seaver  then  moved  that  the  officers  of  the  meeting  be 
requested  to  communicate  the  doings  thereof  to  the  City 
Authorities,  and  to  co-operate  with  them,  in  behalf  of  the 
merchants,  in  any  measures  which  they  might  take  for  carry¬ 
ing  out  the  contemplated  celebration  in  a  proper  manner. 

This  motion  was  carried,  and,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Lawrence, 
the  meeting  then  dissolved. 

The  general  arrangements  for  the  occasion  had  now  been 
so  far  made,  that,  on  the  8th  of  September,  the  City  Govern¬ 
ment  were  able  to  make  the  following  announcement : 

6 


42 


CITY  OF  BOSTON. 

GRAND  RAILROAD  JUBILEE. 

ORDER  OF  ARRANGEMENTS. 

The  City  Government  announce  the  following  as  the  pro¬ 
posed  arrangements  for  celebrating  the  final  completion  of  the 
great  lines  of  railway  communication  between  Boston,  the 
Canadas,  and  the  Great  West,  and  the  establishment  of  Amer¬ 
ican  lines  of  steamers  between  Boston  and  Liverpool. 

The  festivities  will  occupy  three  days ,  to  wit  : — the  17th, 
18th  and  19th  of  September. 

Wednesday ,  September  1 7th.  On  this  day  the  distin¬ 
guished  invited  guests  of  the  city  will  be  received  with  ap¬ 
propriate  honors,  and  escorted  by  a  military  body  and  the 
City  Government  to  the  houses  provided  for  them. 

In  the  afternoon  of  this  day,  the  various  public  institutions 
of  the  city,  and  points  of  interest  in  its  vicinity,  will  be  vis¬ 
ited,  and  the  members  of  the  City  Government  will  devote 
the  day  in  attention  to  their  guests. 

Thursday ,  September  18 th.  On  this  day  there  will  be  a 
grand  excursion  in  Boston  Harbor,  and  the  various  objects 
of  interest  therein  will  be  visited.  For  this  purpose,  suitable 
steamers  will  be  engaged  and  collations  and  music  provided. 

The  shipping  in  the  harbor  will  be  decorated  for  the  occa¬ 
sion. 

Friday ,  September  19 th.  On  the  morning  of  this  day 
there  will  be  a  civic  procession,  escorted  by  the  Boston  Bri¬ 
gade,  the  route  and  details  of  which  will  be  announced  here¬ 
after.  The  children  of  the  public  schools  will  take  a  promi¬ 
nent  part  in  the  proceedings  of  this  day. 

In  the  afternoon,  a  banquet  will  be  given  by  the  City  Gov¬ 
ernment  in  honor  of  their  invited  guests,  which  will  be  held 
under  a  pavilion  on  Boston  Common. 

On  the  evening  of  this  day,  the  public  buildings  of  the 
city  will  be  illuminated,  and  a  display  of  fireworks  made 
from  various  parts  of  the  city  and  harbor. 

Per  order  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements, 

John  P.  Bigelow,  Mayor. 


43 


On  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  September  9th,  on  the  invita¬ 
tion  of  the  City  Committee  of  Arrangements,  a  large  meet¬ 
ing  of  the  mechanics  and  artizans  of  the  city  assembled  at 
the  City  Hall,  to  decide  upon  the  part  they  would  take  in 
the  proposed  procession  on  the  19th.  The  Hon.  Jonathan 
Preston  was  called  to  the  Chair,  and  Edward  H.  Brainard  and 
J.  W.  T.  Stodder  appointed  Secretaries.  Sub-Committees,  of 
two  from  each  of  the  trades,  and  from  the  government  of  the 
Mechanics’  Association,  were  chosen  to  confer  with  those 
engaged  in  the  different  branches  of  industry,  for  the  purpose 
of  arranging  a  procession  to  exhibit,  not  only  specimens  of 
mechanical  work,  but  the  processes  by  which  they  are  manu¬ 
factured.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Sub-Committees,  held  on  the 
following  evening  and  fully  attended,  it  was  ascertained  that 
representations  of  twenty  or  more  different  branches  of  in¬ 
dustry  would  appear  in  the  procession  of  the  19th,  with  em¬ 
blematical  designs,  and  be  accompanied  by  bodies  of  work¬ 
men  ;  and  a  resolution  was  adopted,  pledging  the  best  efforts 
of  all  present,  to  make  the  mechanical  exhibition  as  exten¬ 
sive  and  varied  as  the  limited  time  would  allow.  A  vote 
was  also  passed,  to  invite  manufacturers  and  artizans  from 
the  neighboring  cities  and  towns,  to  join  in  the  display, 
and  a  committee  of  five  was  chosen  to  confer  with  the 
committee  of  the  City  Council.  The  meeting  then  ad¬ 
journed,  to  meet  at  the  same  place  on  the  next  Friday  eve¬ 
ning,  to  hear  the  final  reports  of  the  various  Sub-Committees. 
Many  of  the  most  influential  mechanics  of  the  city  were 
present,  and  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting  indicated  that 
quite  an  imposing  demonstration  would  be  made  by  this  im¬ 
portant  portion  of  the  community. 

On  the  same  evening,  a  meeting  of  the  Mercantile  Library 
Association  was  also  held,  at  which  a  circular  from  the  com¬ 
mittee  of  the  City  Council,  inviting  the  Association  to  join  in 
the  intended  procession,  was  read  by  the  President.  After 
brief,  but  eloquent  speeches,  by  Messrs.  George  S.  Blanchard 
and  Charles  G.  Chase,  a  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted, 
accepting  the  invitation,  and  requesting  the  Government  of 
the  institution  to  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  taking- 
part  in  the  ceremonies. 


44 


It  was  the  universal  and  ardent  desire  of  the  citizens  of 
Boston,  that  the  President  of  the  United  States  should  honor 
the  festival  with  his  presence. 

To  the  invitation  extended  to  him  by  the  City,  he  at  first 
felt  obliged,  in  consequence  of  the  pressure  of  public  duties, 
to  return  an  undecisive  answer,  yet  leaving  room  for  the  hope 
that  circumstances  might  be  such  as  to  allow  of  his  ultimate 
acceptance  of  it.  To  strengthen  the  assurances  he  had  re¬ 
ceived  of  the  pleasure,  which  a  visit  from  him  would  confer, 
Francis  Brinley,  Esq.,  on  the  part  of  the  City  Government, 
proceeded  to  Washington,  and  the  gratifying  intelligence  was 
received  through  him  before  the  end  of  the  week  preceding 
the  Jubilee,  that  the  President  had  accepted  the  invitation,  and, 
accompanied  by  a  part,  at  least,  of  his  Cabinet,  would  leave 
Washington  for  Boston  in  the  early  part  of  the  ensuing  week. 

As  soon  as  it  was  ascertained  that  the  President  had  accept¬ 
ed  the  invitation  of  the  City,  a  Committee  of  the  General 
Court,  acting  under  a  resolve  passed  at  its  last  session,  in  the 
hope  that  he  might  visit  the  Commonwealth  during  the  cur¬ 
rent  year,  immediately  adopted  the  necessary  measures  to 
give  him  a  suitable  reception. 

The  Committee  consisted  of  the  following  named  gentle¬ 
men,  viz.  On  the  part  of  the  Senate  :  Henry  Wilson,  Presi¬ 
dent  ;  Charles  T.  Russell,  of  Suffolk ;  Edward  L.  Keyes,  of 
Norfolk ;  Erasmus  D.  Beach,  of  Hampden ;  Alexander  De 
Witt,  of  Worcester ;  Whiting  Griswold,  of  Franklin ;  Wil¬ 
liam  A.  Hawley,  of  Hampshire. 

On  the  part  of  the  House  :  Nathaniel  P.  Banks,  Jr.,  of 
Waltham,  Speaker ;  Caleb  Cushing,  of  Newbury;  Samuel  H. 
Walley,  of  Roxbury  ;  Ensign  H.  Kellogg,  of  Pittsfield  ;  John 
Mills,  of  Springfield;  James  S.  Whitney,  of  Conway;  J. 
Thomas  Stevenson,  of  Boston  ;  John  Branning,  of  Monte¬ 
rey  ;  William  Schouler,  of  Boston ;  John  Milton  Earle,  of 
Worcester;  Nathaniel  B.  Borden,  of  Fall  River  ;  Almerin  L. 
Ackley,  of  Auburn ;  Everett  Robinson,  of  Middleboro’  ; 
George  O.  Brastow,  of  Somerville ;  Sirson  P.  Coffin,  of  Ed- 
gartown. 

Acting  in  conformity  to  the  same  Resolve,  the  Governor  of 
the  Commonwealth  issued  the  following  General  Order : — 


45 


[official.] 

COMMONWEALTH  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

Head  Quarters ,  Boston ,  September  15,  1851. 

[GENERAL  ORDER,  NO.  9  ] 

As  by  a  resolve  of  the  Legislature  of  this  Commonwealth, 
at  their  last  session,  His  Excellency  the  Governor  was  author¬ 
ized  and  requested  to  tender  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  if  he  shall  visit  this  Commonwealth  during  the  pres¬ 
ent  year,  the  customary  hospitalities  and  the  respectful  con¬ 
gratulations  of  the  State  ;  and  as,  by  the  same  resolve,  a  Com¬ 
mittee  of  the  Legislature  was  authorized  to  make  all  suitable 
arrangements,  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  State,  for  the 
proper  reception  of  the  President ;  and  as  the  said  Committee, 
in  the  expectation  that  the  President  will  visit  this  Common¬ 
wealth  during  the  present  month,  has  requested  His  Excel¬ 
lency,  the  Governor,  to  tender  to  the  President  a  military  es¬ 
cort,  and  to  take  such  other  measures  as  circumstances  may 
render  expedient  and  proper,  to  carry  the  intention  of  the 
Legislature  into  effect : 

His  Excellency,  the  Commander-in-Chief,  orders  that  the 
following  troops  be  hereby  detailed  for  parade,  escort,  and 
review ;  and  they  will  assemble  on  Boston  Common  on 
Wednesday,  the  17th  inst.,  at  9  o’clock,  A.  M. 

The  First  Brigade,  under  command  of  Brigadier  General 
Samuel  Andrews. 

Companies  C,  D,  and  G,  of  4th  Regiment  of  Light  Infan¬ 
try  ;  Companies  C,  D,  and  E,  5th  Regiment  of  Light  In¬ 
fantry  ;  Companies  B  and  C,  8th  Regiment  of  Light  Infantry — 

To  constitute  a  regiment,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
J.  Durell  Greene,  of  the  4th  Regiment  of  Light  Infantry, 
who  will  order  his  field  and  staff. 

Companies  A,  B,  E,  and  C,  6th  Regiment  of  Light  Infan¬ 
try  ;  Companies  A,  C,  and  I,  7th  Regiment  of  Light  Infantry  ,* 
Company  B,  5th  Regiment  of  Light  Infantry — 

To  constitute  a  regiment,  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Nathan  P.  Colburn,  of  the  7th  Regiment  of  Light  Infantry, 
who  will  order  his  field  and  staff. 


46 


Company  of  Rifles,  annexed  to  the  1st  Regiment  of  Light 
Infantry,  and  company  of  Rifles  G,  annexed  to  the  5th  Regi¬ 
ment  of  Light  Infantry,  to  constitute  a  Battalion,  under  the 
command  of  Major  William  Saunders,  of  the  6th  Regiment 
of  Light  Infantry. 

Major  Edmund  A.  Parker,  of  the  5th  Regiment  of  Light 
Infantry,  is  detailed  to  act  as  Major  of  the  regiment,  under  the 
command  of  Col.  Greene. 

The  above  two  regiments  of  Light  Infantry  and  Battalion 
of  Rifles,  will  constitute  a  Brigade,  under  command  of  Briga¬ 
dier  General  Henry  Wilson,  of  the  3rd  Brigade. 

The  whole  to  constitute  a  Division,  under  the  command  of 
Major  General  B.  F.  Edmands,  who  will  report  to  Head 
Quarters  for  instructions. 

The  Divisionary  Corps  of  Cadets  of  the  1st  and  2nd  Divis¬ 
ions,  will  constitute  a  Battalion  under  the  command  of  Lieut. 
Col.  Thomas  C.  Amory,  who,  with  his  command,  will  report 
at  Head  Quarters  at  10  o’clock,  A.  M.,  on  Wednesday, 
17th  inst. 

Capt.  John  B.  Sandford,  of  Company  B,  4th  Regiment  of 
Artillery,  is  ordered  to  fire  a  salute  on  the  arrival  of  the 
President  at  Fall  River. 

The  Acting  Quarter  Master  General  will  furnish  commu¬ 
tation  in  money  instead  of  rations. 

All  General  and  Field  Officers,  with  their  Staff,  who  are 
not  detailed  for  duty,  are  requested  to  report  themselves  at 
Head  Quarters,  in  uniform,  not  mounted,  at  2  o’clock,  P.  M., 
in  order  to  attend  the  Review  of  the  troops.  All  officers  and 
troops  ordered  for  duty,  named  in  the  above  order,  will  gov¬ 
ern  themselves  accordingly,  without  waiting  for  the  regular 
transmission  of  orders.  Major  Generals  Sutton,  Hobbs  and 
Edmands  will  promulgate  this  order  in  their  respective  Divis¬ 
ions. 

By  command  of  his  Excellency 

Geo.  S.  Boutwell,  Governor , 
and  Commander-in-Chief. 

Ebenezer  W.  Stone,  Adjt.  Gen. 


47 


The  President,  accompanied  by  the  Hon.  Charles  M.  Con¬ 
rad,  Secretary  of  War,  and  the  Hon.  Alexander  H.  H.  Stew¬ 
art,  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  left  Washington  on  Monday  for 
New  York,  where,  on  his  arrival  late  in  the  evening,  he  was 
met  by  Alderman  Holbrook  and  Francis  Brinley,  Esq.,  a 
Committee  of  the  City  Council  of  Boston,  who  were  in  wait¬ 
ing  to  receive  him  and  escort  him  thence  to  Boston.  After  a 
short  delay,  the  party  went  on  board  the  steamer  “  Bay 
State,”  and  reached  Newport  at  10  o’clock,  A.  M.,  on  Tuesday. 
The  Hon.  William  B.  Lawrence,  Lieutenant  Governor  of 
Rhode  Island,  and  Acting  Governor,  had  issued  orders,  di¬ 
recting  an  artillery  company  to  fire  a  salute  on  the  arrival  of 
the  boat,  and  to  escort  the  President  to  his  quarters  at  the 
Bellevue  House.  In  the  evening,  a  sub-committee  of  the 
joint  Committee  of  the  Massachusetts  Legislature,  consisting 
of  the  Hon.  Edward  L.  Keyes,  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  P.  Banks, 
Jr.,  and  Col.  William  Schouler,  and  with  them  Lieut.  Cols.  J. 
T.  Heard  and  Daniel  Needham,  Aides-de-Camp  of  the  Gov¬ 
ernor,  and  the  Hon.  George  Lunt,  United  States  Attorney 
for  this  District,  reached  Newport.  The  Committee  hav¬ 
ing  been  introduced  to  the  President,  and  cordially  received 
by  him,  Col.  Schouler,  on  their  behalf,  addressed  him  as 
follows : — 


Sir, — 

The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  at  its  late  session,  in 
anticipation  of  a  visit  from  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
passed,  by  a  unanimous  vote,  certain  resolves,  requesting  his  Ex¬ 
cellency,  the  Governor,  to  tender  to  the  President  u  the  customary 
hospitalities  and  respectful  congratulations  of  the  State.”  A 
Committee,  consisting  of  members  of  the  Senate  and  House  of 
Representatives  was  also  appointed,  “  to  make  all  necessary  ar¬ 
rangements  for  the  proper  reception  of  the  President.”  W e  have 
been  sent  upon  this  pleasant  duty,  and  to  make  known  to  you  these 
facts,  and  to  assure  you  of  the  profound  satisfaction  which  we 
feel,  and  which  the  people  of  Massachusetts  feel,  in  this  your  visit  to 
our  State.  We  have  come  to  conduct  you  to  within  our  own  borders, 
where  you  will  be  met  by  the  other  members  of  the  Committee, 
and  by  thousands  of  patriotic  and  intelligent  men,  and  warmly  wel¬ 
comed  to  Massachusetts  ;  a  State  ever  ready  and  desirous  of  ex¬ 
tending  her  welcome  and  her  hospitality ,  to  those  who  “  deserve,”  as 
you  do,  sir,  u  well  of  the  Republic.”  The  occasion  which  you  are  to 


48 


honor  with  your  presence,  is  one  of  deep  interest  to  the  people  of 
Massachusetts.  It  is  to  mark  the  completion  of  a  long  chain  of 
railroads,  connecting  the  Canadas  with  Massachusetts,  and  the  great 
Lakes  with  the  Ocean,  and  the  commencement  of  a  line  of  steam 
vessels  between  the  capital  of  New  England  and  Liverpool.  These 
form  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  our  State,  from  whence  we  hope 
to  make  an  advance  step  in  commercial  and  social  prosperity,  and 
thus  add  to  the  stability  and  the  value  of  this  great  Union,  by 
uniting  in  closer  bonds  the  interests  and  affections  of  the  people. 
Your  presence  among  us  at  any  time,  would  be  to  us  most  pleas¬ 
ant,  and  all  would  unite  to  do  you  honor ;  but  you  are  doubly 
welcome  to  us  now,  as  it  will  afford  our  people  an  opportunity  of 
attesting,  at  one  and  the  same  time,  their  joy  at  this  triumph  of 
American  skill  and  enterprise,  and  their  high  appreciation  of  one, 
who,  by  his  wisdom  and  his  virtue,  has  rendered  illustrious  the 
American  name. 

To  this  Address,  the  President  replied,  in  substance,  as  follows  : 
Sir, — 

For  the  invitation  to  visit  the  State  of  assac  usetts  con¬ 
veyed  to  me  through  you,  and  for  the  flattering  terms,  as 
unexpected  as  they  are  undeserved,  in  which  that  invitation  has 
been  expressed,  permit  me  to  return  my  sincere  thanks. 

You  have  alluded,  sir,  to  the  completion  of  the  long  lines  of 
railway  connecting  the  Canadas  and  the  Great  Lakes  with  Massa¬ 
chusetts  and  the  Ocean,  as  one  of  the  causes  which  have  occa¬ 
sioned  this  invitation  at  this  time.  However  gratifying  it  might 
be  to  me  to  come  amongst  you  at  any  time,  it  is  peculiarly  so  to 
be  present  at  the  celebration  of  such  an  event ;  for,  I  confess,  I 
feel  a  deep  interest  in  whatever  is  connected  with  the  prosperity 
and  the  happiness  of  any  part  of  our  Common  Country. 

Massachusetts  has  done  as  much  as  any  portion  of  the  United 
States,  to  extend  and  multiply  facilities  for  trade  and  intercourse  ; 
and  I  am  glad,  Sir,  that  she  has  now  stretched  forth  her  iron  arms 
to  the  great  West  and  the  Canadas.  Although  I  am  not,  Sir,  in 
favor  of  annexation,  in  a  certain  sense  of  the  term,  (for  I  think 
we  have  already  territory  enough,)  yet  I  am  entirely  in  favor  of 
all  the  means  by  which  States  and  Countries  can  be  bound  to¬ 
gether  by  ties  of  mutual  interest  and  reciprocal  commercial 
advantage. 

You  have  also  spoken,  Sir,  of  the  establishment  of  a  line  of 
American  Steamships  between  your  principal  city  and  foreign 
ports.  This  too  is  a  subject  in  which  I  take  a  deep  interest.  I 
rejoice  in  all  measures  which  extend  and  increase  our  means  of 
intercourse  with  foreign  countries,  and  strengthen  and  enlarge  our 
foreign  commerce. 


49 


It  must  have  been  noticed  that  the  great  improvement  which 
has  taken  place  in  our  relations  with  one  another,  and  with  other 
countries,  is  owing  principally  to  the  rivalry  between  our  great 
cities  ;  and  this  is  a  generous  rivalry. 

New  York,  as  you  know,  has  already  completed  a  great  work, 
which  extends  her  trade  to  the  West ;  and,  in  whatever  part  of 
our  land  these  enterprises  are  begun,  we  all  feel  a  deep  interest 
in  their  success,  because  they  serve  to  multiply  among  us  the  re¬ 
sources  of  living,  and,  by  giving  us  mutual  interests  and  making  us 
better  acquainted  wTith  one  another,  they  must  strengthen  the 
bonds  by  which  we  are  joined  together  in  common  union. 

Permit  me,  again,  to  thank  the  Governor  and  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts,  for  the  kind  invitation  they  have  extended  to  me, 
and  to  assure  you,  Gentlemen,  of  the  great  pleasure  I  feel  in 
accepting  it. 

Lt.  Col.  Heard,  one  of  the  Aides-de-Camp  to  the  Governor,  then 
addressed  the  President  as  follows  : — 

Mr.  President, — 

His  Excellency,  the  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massa¬ 
chusetts,  having  learned  with  pleasure  that  you  contemplate  visiting 
that  State,  has  instructed  us,  a  portion  of  his  personal  military  Staff, 
to  wait  upon  you  at  this  place,  and  tender  to  you  the  congratula¬ 
tions  and  hospitalities  of  the  Commonwealth.  A  part  of  the  mili¬ 
tia  will  be  under  orders,  near  and  at  the  line  of  the  City  of  Boston, 
to  escort  you  to  the  lodgings  which,  he  understands,  the  Authorities 
of  that  city  have  provided  for  you. 

His  Excellency  has  also  instructed  us  to  tender  to  you  a  review 
of  the  troops  composing  the  escort,  on  Boston  Common,  at  such 
hour  as  may  be  convenient  to  you.  And  he  has  directed  us  to 
attend  you  in  person  to  the  capital  of  the  State,  if  that  should 
meet  your  pleasure. 

The  President,  in  reply,  accepted  the  invitations  of  the 
Governor,  excepting  that  relating  to  a  review  of  the  troops,  to 
which  he  hesitated  to  give  a  decisive  answer  at  that  time. 
But,  upon  its  being  represented  to  him  that  an  early  answer 
on  this  point  was  desirable,  so  that  the  troops  might  be  kept 
under  orders  for  the  purpose,  he  promptly  accepted  this  invi¬ 
tation  also.  He  was  then  requested  to  state  what  would  be 
his  pleasure  as  to  the  manner  in  which  he  would  make  the 
review  ;  whether  in  a  carriage,  on  horseback,  or  on  foot. 
He  replied,  “  Not  certainly  in  a  carriage  ;  it  seems  to  me 


50 


it  should  be  done  either  on  foot  or  on  horseback :  I  think 
on  horseback  is  the  better  way.  I  will  review  on  horseback, 
provided  I  am  sure  of  a  good  horse.”  The  last  remark  was 
made  jocosely  and  excited  a  general  smile. 

The  President  then  introduced  his  visitors  to  his  lady — 
remarking  that  she  was  prevented,  by  a  temporary  lameness, 
from  rising  to  greet  her  guests.  In  a  short  time  the  in¬ 
terview  terminated,  and  the  President  was  then  ushered  into  a 
beautiful  ball-room,  where  a  large  number  of  the  ladies  of 
Newport  were  assembled  to  welcome  him. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  City  resounded  with  “the  stirring 
notes  of  preparation,”  and  every  thing  betokened  the  near 
approach  of  the  long-expected  day.  The  extreme  beauty  of 
the  weather,  the  busy  activity  displayed  in  the  decoration  of 
the  streets,  the  mustering  of  military  companies,  the  throngs 
of  strangers  from  all  parts  of  the  land, — every  train  bringing 
accessions  of  welcome  visitors, — and  the  certainty  that  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  the  Governor-General  of 
Canada,*  were  on  their  way  hither,  all  gave  promise  of  a  full 
realization  of  the  most  sanguine  anticipations. 

The  Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  the  Secretary  of  State,  though,  on 
account  of  his  health,  unable  to  accept  the  invitation,  (which 
had  been  extended  to  him  personally  by  the  members  of  the 
Committee  of  Invitation)  to  participate  in  the  public  festivi¬ 
ties,  had  come  to  the  City  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  the 
President,  and  of  joining  in  the  reception  to  be  given  him  by 
the  Commonwealth  at  the  State  House. 

In  the  course  of  the  day  [Tuesday,]  a  telegraphic  despatch 
was  received  by  the  Mayor,  announcing  that  a  large  number  of 
Canadians,  including  the  City  Authorities  of  Montreal, Toronto, 
Cobourg,  and  other  places,  were  on  their  way  to  Boston.  A 
Committee  was  forthwith  deputed  to  receive  the  guests,  and 
twelve  carriages  were  despatched  to  the  Lowell  Railroad  sta¬ 
tion,  to  convey  them  to  their  respective  hotels.  Lowell  street 
was  handsomely  decorated  in  honor  of  the  strangers,  and  the 

*Lord  Elgin  bad  written  to  the  Mayor  from  Niagara  Falls,  subsequently  to  his 
letter  in  the  text,  that  be  should  arrive  in  Boston  by  the  Western  Railroad  on  the 
15th.  The  operators  of  the  Telegraph,  at  every  principal  point  on  the  line,  kept 
the  Mayor  advised  of  his  Lordship’s  arrival  at,  and  departure  from,  the  same. 


51 


English  and  American  flags,  becomingly  arranged  in  festoons, 
were  displayed  near  the  depot. 

Among  the  many  distinguished  persons  who  had  already 
reached  the  City  were  the  following — viz. : 

At  the  Revere  House — The  Hon.  Daniel  Webster  ;  the 
Hon.  H.  H.  Killaly,  Assistant  Commissioner  of  Public  Works  ; 
Mr.  Solicitor  General  McDonald  ;  the  Hon.  Messrs.  Justices 
Alwyn,  Day,  and  Mondelet,  of  Montreal  j  Mr.  Justice  W.  K. 
McCord,  of  Quebec ;  Col.  B.  C.  A.  Gugy,  M.  P.  P. ;  N.  Dumas, 
Esq.,  M.  P.  P. ;  W.  H.  Scott,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.  ;  D.  Ross,  Esq., 
M.  P.  P.  ;  D.  M.  Armstrong,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P. ;  J.  Scott,  Esq.,  M. 
P.  P.  ;  W.  McFarland,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.  ;  H.  Smith,  Esq.,  M. 
P.  P.  ;  W.  B.  Richards,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P. ;  Benjamin  Holmes, 
Esq.,  member  for  the  city  of  Montreal  ;  A.  Jobin,  Esq.,  mem¬ 
ber  for  the  county  of  Montreal ;  the  Hon.  S.  Crane,  of  the 
Legislative  Council ;  the  Hon.  John  Molson,  of  Montreal ;  and 
the  Hon.  Francis  M.  Hill,  Mayor  of  Kingston. 

At  the  Winthrop  House — the  Hon.  Charles  Wilson,  Mayor 
of  Montreal ;  Aldermen  A.  McFarlane,  J.  Grenier,  J.  B.  Homier, 
S.  Benjamin,  and  P.  Lynch,  and  Messrs.  O.  Frechette,  N.  S. 
Whitney,  J.  Leeming,  J.  B.  Bronsdon,  J.  A.  Montreuil,  E.  La- 
marche,  and  E.  Atwater,  of  the  Council ;  Hon.  Adam  Ferrie, 
M.  P.  P. ;  J.  P.  Sexton,  Esq.,  City  Clerk  ;  J.  A.  B.  McGill,  Esq., 
City  Surveyor  ,*  Major  H.  El  well,  George  Desbarats,  Esq., 
Queen’s  printer,  and  Mr.  Justice  John  McCord,  of  Montreal ; 
and  Major  H.  P.  Bourchier,  of  Kingston. 

At  the  Tremont  House — the  Hon.  N.  F.  Belleau,  Mayor  of 
Quebec  ;  Col.  Horne  and  other  officers  of  the  20th  regiment 
of  Infantry ;  Capt.  the  Hon.  H.  F.  Keane  ;  Lt.  A.  M.  Chis¬ 
holm,  42d  regiment  Royal  Highlanders  ;  Deputy  Asst.  Com. 
Gen.  G.  J.  Webb  ;  Senior  Surgeon  Chisholm,  Royal  Artil¬ 
lery  ;  Dr.  Maitland,  Royal  Rifles  ;  Drs.  Rutherford,  and  Bar¬ 
rett,  Medical  Staff — all  of  Canada  ;  the  Hon.  E.  Twisdton,  of 
England  ;  and  the  Hon.  A.  N.  Skinner,  Mayor  of  New  Haven. 

At  the  United  States  Hotel — Sir  Allan  N.  MacNab  j  the 
Hon.  James  Colman,  Mayor  of  Dundas  ;  Lieut.  Col.  Cartier  ; 
Lieut.  Col.  Lelan  ;  G.  B.  Lyon,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.  ;  Mr.  Sheriff 
E.  C.  Thomas  ;  the  Hon.  Mr.  Boulton,  M.  P.  P.  ;  A.  Gauthier, 


52 


Esq.  ;  the  Hon.  P.  B.  De  Blaquiere,  M.  P.  P. ;  Capt.  Duverg- 
ny  ;  Capt.  Boulange  ;  Lieut.  Andy — all  of  Canada. 

At  the  Pavilion — Major  Jecklan,  of  Three  Rivers  ;  Mr. 
Wheelcott ;  Mr.  J.  R.  Wright ;  W.  B.  Lindsey,  Esq.,  Clerk  of 
the  Legislative  Assembly — all  of  Canada. 

During  the  evening,  the  Committee  of  Reception  divided 
themselves  into  three  parties, — one  of  which  entertained  the 
Mayor  and  City  Council  of  Montreal  at  the  Winthrop  House  ; 
another,  the  Mayor  of  Quebec  and  Suite  at  the  Tremont 
House,  and  the  third,  at  the  latter  hotel,  the  officers  of  the 
20th  regiment. 

Many  of  those  who  arrived  in  the  late  trains,  unable  to  find 
accommodations  at  the  public  houses,  which  were  now  filled 
to  overflowing,  were  entertained  at  private  mansions,  many  of 
which  had  been  hospitably  thrown  open  for  their  reception. 

The  proprietors  of  the  Athenaeum  notified  the  City  Council 
that  all  the  guests  of  the  City,  during  the  Jubilee,  would  be 
welcomed  to  that  Institution  ;  and  the  Horticultural  Society, 
whose  annual  exhibition,  always  beautiful  and  attractive,  was 
to  take  place  during  the  week,  extended  a  similar  invitation. 

All  things  were  now  ready  for  the  opening  day  of  the 
Jubilee,  and,  that  the  next  morning’s  sun  might  rise  in  his 
loveliest  smiles  over  the  City,  was  the  hope  which  filled  all 
hearts,  as  his  setting  beams  threw  their  “  splendor  of  azure 
and  gold  ”  over  the  western  skies. 

FIRST  DAY  OF  THE  JUBILEE. 

And  the  hope  of  the  evening  was  realized.  The  morning  of 
Wednesday,  September  17th,  was  clear  and  bright,  and  at  an 
early  hour  the  streets  of  the  city  were  alive  with  the  bustle 
of  preparation  for  the  festivities  of  the  day.  Every  thing 
betokened  an  auspicious  beginning  of  the  Jubilee. 

The  main  features  of  this  first  day  were  the  arrival  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States  and  his  Suite,  their  reception 
by  the  City  and  State  Authorities,  and  the  Military  Review 
on  the  Common. 

After  breakfast,  at  Newport,  the  President,  accompanied  by 


the  Secretaries  of  War  and  the  Interior ;  the  Hon.  Mr.  Bradley, 
of  the  Post  Office  Department •  the  Hon.  Mr.  Crampton,  Charge 
d’ Affaires  of  Great  Britain  at  Washington  ;  Francis  Brinley, 
Esq.,  President  of  the  Common  Council,  and  Mr.  Holbrook,  of 
the  Board  of  Aldermen,  of  Boston ;  Mr.  Tallmadge,  United 
States  Marshal  for  New  York  ;  Mr.  Devens,  United  States 
Marshal  for  Massachusetts ;  Mr.  Borden,  of  Fall  River ;  Mr. 
John  O.  Sargent,  editor  of  the  Washington  “  Republic,”  and 
the  Legislative  Sub-Committee,  took  the  steamer  “  Canon- 
icus  ”  for  Fall  River.  At  that  place,  the  following  mem¬ 
bers  of  the  Legislative  Committee  were  waiting  to  welcome 
the  Chief  Magistrate  to  the  soil  of  Massachusetts  :  Messrs. 
Henry  Wilson,  President  of  the  Senate  ;  Charles  T.  Russell, 
of  Suffolk  ;  Whiting  Griswold,  of  Franklin  ;  and  William  A. 
Hawley,  of  Hampshire,  of  the  Senate  j  and  Samuel  H.  W alley, 
of  Roxbury  ;  James  S.  Whitney,  of  Conway  ;  J.  Thomas  Ste¬ 
venson,  of  Boston  ;  Almerin  L.  Ackley,  of  Auburn  ;  and 
George  O.  Brastow,  of  Somerville,  of  the  House. 

At  Fall  River  the  shipping  in  the  harbor  had  been  decorated 
with  flags,  and,  on  the  arrival  of  the  “  Canonicus  ”  a  national 
salute  was  fired  by  the  troops.  The  President  was  then  con¬ 
ducted  on  board  the  steamer  “  Empire  State,”  where  he  was 
met  by  the  Committee,  and  addressed  by  its  chairman,  the 
Hon.  Henry  Wilson,  as  follows  : — 

Mr.  President, — 

The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  at  its  last  session,  as  you 
have  already  been  officially  informed,  with  entire  unanimity,  passed 
a  resolution  requesting  the  Governor  to  tender  to  you,  whenever 
you  should  see  fit  to  visit  us,  the  hospitalities  of  the  Common¬ 
wealth.  In  compliance  with  that  vote  we  are  here  to  welcome 
you  to  Massachusetts,  and  to  offer  you  a  warm,  cordial  and  enthu¬ 
siastic  greeting — in  the  name  of  her  people — of  her  whole  people. 

I  welcome  you,  Sir,  as  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Republic,  and 
assure  you  that  you  will  receive  from  the  people  here  the  same 
cordial  reception  that  they  gave  to  your  illustrious  predecessors. 

You,  Sir, — a  citizen  of  that  great  State  which  borders  on  our 
own — are  not  unfamiliar  with  our  history,  our  character,  or  our 
institutions.  You  know  the  skill  of  our  artizans,  and  you  know 
that  their  prosperity  has  been  achieved  and  maintained — not  by 
the  bounty  or  the  protection  of  the  government,  but  by  their  own 


54 


educated,  intelligent  and  free  labor.  You  have  heard  of  our  com¬ 
mon  schools,  where  ingenuous  youth  first  learn  those  lessons  of 
obedience  to  the  laws,  and  of  respect  for  those  principles  of  free¬ 
dom  and  equality  which  lie  at  the  foundation  of  our  institutions. 
You  are  acquainted  with  the  excellence  of  our  charitable  institu¬ 
tions,  wrhere  the  care-worn  and  weary  sons  and  daughters  of  men 
find  repose  and  shelter  from  the  storms  of  life.  We  bid  you  wel¬ 
come,  Sir,  to  our  Commonwealth,  and  trust  that  in  your  visit,  you, 
and  the  distinguished  gentlemen  with  you,  who  are  your  consti¬ 
tutional  advisers,  may  receive,  as  you  will  all  give,  the  highest 
gratification. 

Your  visit,  Sir,  is  to  us  fortunate  and  agreeable,  combined  as  it 
is  with  the  celebration  of  the  completion  of  a  system  of  railroads 
which  connects  the  Atlantic  with  our  inland  seas,  and  the  dwellers 
on  the  seaboard  with  the  teeming  millions  of  the  imperial  West. 
The  same  system  connects  us  with  the  Canadas,  and  it  adds  greatly 
to  the  pleasure  of  the  occasion,  that  the  authorities  of  those  Prov¬ 
inces,  with  large  numbers  of  their  inhabitants,  will  be  present  at 
our  celebration,  a  meeting  with  whom  cannot  but  tend  to  cultivate 
harmony  and  sympathy  of  feeling  between  us,  and  to  eradicate 
prejudices  growing  out  of  past  events — a  result,  which,  should 
they,  in  the  Providence  of  God,  cease  to  be  a  portion  of  the 
British  Empire,  would  prepare  them  willingly  to  become  an  inte¬ 
gral  part  of  our  ever-extending  Republic. 

Permit  me,  Sir,  in  conclusion,  again  to  tender  to  you  a  respect¬ 
ful  and  cordial  welcome  to  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  and  to 
testify  to  you  the  personal  regard  and  good  wishes  which  each 
one  of  the  Committee  entertains  towards  you,  and  to  assure  you 
that  the  whole  people  of  this  State  cherish  an  unwavering  loyalty 
to  the  Union,  the  Constitution,  and  the  great  principles  of  liberty 
and  equal  rights  for  all  men,  and  that  amid  the  storms  of  free  dis¬ 
cussion,  they  have  an  unshaken  confidence  in  the  stability  of  our 
institutions,  the  maintenance  of  our  republican  government,  and 
the  ultimate  triumph  of  the  democratic  ideas  on  which  it  was  es¬ 
tablished. 

To  this  address  the  President  replied  as  follows : — 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Committee, — 

This  unexpected  and  cordial  expression  of  your  kind  feelings 
towards  me  is  highly  gratifying,  and  is  deeply  appreciated  by  me. 
I  feel  that  this  enthusiastic  welcome  is  not  so  much  intended  for 
me,  as  to  do  honor  to  the  high  office  which  it  is  my  fortune  to  fill, 
and  as  such  I  receive  it. 

I  regret,  Gentlemen,  that  this  is  the  first  time  I  have  ever  vis¬ 
ited  this  place  ; — all  that  I  see  around  me  is  new  to  me.  But, 


55 


Gentlemen,  I  know  and  I  appreciate  the  character  of  the  people 
of  Massachusetts.  I  know  well  what  they  have  done  for  our 
country,  for  liberty  and  for  civilization,  and  I  believe  that  nowhere 
else  is  there  a  deeper  conviction  that  the  blessings  we  enjoy  are 
owing,  mainly,  to  the  constitution  under  which  we  live  ;  and  that 
nowhere  else  is  there  a  firmer  determination  to  he  faithful  to  the 
constitution.  And  this  beautiful  city  before  us,  is,  we  all  feel,  in¬ 
debted,  for  whatever  makes  it  most  delightful  to  look  upon,  to  the 
intelligence  and  to  the  patriotism  of  its  citizens,  and  to  their  faith¬ 
ful  maintenance  of  law  and  order. 

It  was  with  great  reluctance,  and  solely  on  account  of  my  public 
duties,  that  I  felt  obliged  at  first  to  decline  the  invitation  I  re¬ 
ceived  to  visit  Boston  on  this  occasion.  To  my  great  satisfaction, 
however,  I  have  since  found  it  not  inconsistent  with  public  duty 
to  accept  that  invitation,  and  the  pleasure  is  greatly  enhanced  by 
meeting  my  fellow  citizens  of  Fall  River  here  to-day;  and  now, 
feeling  grateful,  Gentlemen,  for  the  kind  invitation  extended  to 
me  by  you  on  behalf  of  the  State,  I  proceed  to  accept  with  pleas¬ 
ure  the  proffered  hospitalities  of  your  metropolis. 

Permit  me,  Gentlemen,  for  myself  and  in  behalf  of  those  asso¬ 
ciated  with  me  in  the  government,  to  thank  you  for  the  cordial 
and  courteous  greeting  you  have  given  us. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  President’s  reply,  he,  with  his 
Suite,  was  conducted  by  the  Committee  to  a  very  handsomely 
decorated  car  provided  for  his  reception  by  the  Railroad  Com¬ 
pany,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  train  was  on  its  way  to 
Dorchester.  At  Bridgewater  and  other  stations  the  President 
was  repeatedly  cheered  by  the  crowds  who  had  gathered  to 
greet  his  arrival.  At  about  half-past  ten  o’clock,  the  train,  drawn 
by  the  large  locomotive  “  Hingham,”  which  was  decorated 
with  flags  and  evergreens,  reached  the  Harrison  Square  Sta¬ 
tion-house  in  Dorchester,  where  an  immense  multitude,  on 
foot,  on  horseback,  and  in  carriages,  were  waiting  its  approach. 
On  alighting  from  the  car,  the  President  was  warmly  wel¬ 
comed  by  the  Hon.  Marshall  P.  Wilder,  Chairman  of  the 
Selectmen  of  the  town,  in  behalf  of  its  inhabitants.  Mr. 
Wilder  addressed  him  as  follows  :  — 

Mr.  President, — 

In  behalf  of  the  ancient  town  of  Dorchester,  I  bid  you  wel¬ 
come.  In  behalf  of  the  County  of  Norfolk,  the  land  of  the 
Adamses,  which  has  furnished  its  full  share  for  filling  the  high 
office  which  you  now  sustain — in  behalf  of  the  people  whose  in- 


56 


stitutions  have  taught  us  to  respect  the  laws  and  constitution 
of  our  country,  and  to  unite  together  for  the  preservation  of  our 
glorious  Union,  I  greet  you.  I  am  not  permitted,  sir,  to  occupy 
a  moment  of  your  time,  and  I  again  bid  you  a  cordial — a  right 
hearty  welcome.  Welcome.  Welcome.  Welcome. 

To  this  salutation  the  President  replied,  and  said : 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Citizens  of  Dorchester, — 

For  myself  and  in  behalf  of  the  gentlemen  who  accompany  me 
on  this  excursion,  I  desire  to  tender  to  you  our  profoundest  thanks 
for  this  cordial  reception.  I  am  happy — extremely  happy — to 
meet  you,  Citizens  of  Dorchester,  in  view  of  those  heights  upon 
which  your  fathers  stood  in  arms,  and  opened  the  way  for  the  es¬ 
tablishment  of  a  constitution,  which  you  at  this  day,  I  doubt  not, 
are  prepared  to  defend.  This  is  consecrated  ground,  for  here 
repose  the  ashes  of  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Revolution. 

I  am  greatly  pleased,  also,  to  witness  this  gathering  of  ladies, 
the  beauty  of  Dorchester  ; — God  bless  them  ! 

Again,  Sir,  permit  me  once  more  and  most  heartily  to  thank  the 
citizens  of  Dorchester  for  this  flattering  reception. 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  brief  address,  the  attentive  si¬ 
lence  which  had  been  preserved  during  its  delivery  was  bro¬ 
ken  by  resounding  cheers,  and  the  firing  of  a  national  salute. 
Flags  waved  in  the  breeze  from  every  eminence  in  the  vicin¬ 
ity.  The  ladies — the  beauty  of  Norfolk  County — graced  the 
occasion  by  a  large  attendance.  They  filled  the  windows, 
covered  the  hill-sides,  thronged  the  balcony  of  the  Mattapan 
Bank,  and  even  made  their  appearance  upon  the  roofs  of  the 
buildings  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

The  National  Lancers,  Capt.  T.  J.  Pierce,  were  present  to 
do  escort  duty,  and  made  a  most  brilliant  appearance. 
They  numbered  one  hundred  and  eleven  strong,  and  were 
accompanied  by  the  Suffolk  Brass  Band. 

The  railroad  track  and  the  different  roads  forming  a  junc¬ 
tion  with  it  were  kept  well  sprinkled  by  the  authorities  of 
Dorchester ;  and,  by  the  liberality  of  Enoch  Train,  Esq.,  the 
route  from  Dorchester  to  the  Roxbury  line  had  been  watered 
in  the  morning,  so  that,  although  a  bountiful  supply  of  dust 
was  furnished  by  the  trampling  of  the  hundreds  of  horses 
which  preceded  the  carriages  containing  the  distinguished 
visitors,  the  public  had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  a 
great  deal  more  had  been  prevented  from  displaying  itself. 


The  platform  upon  which  the  President  alighted  from 
the  car  was  carpeted  and  adorned  with  evergreen,  bunting, 
and  other  decorations,  and  by  the  side  of  it  was  the 
barouche  appropriated  for  conveying  him  to  the  city. 
This  carriage,  furnished  from  Niles’s  stable,  was  exceedingly 
handsome,  and  was  drawn  by  six  elegant  grey  horses. 

After  a  short  delay,  the  President,  accompanied  by  the  Hon. 
Henry  Wilson  and  two  of  Governor  BoutwelPs  Aides-de- 
Camp,  took  his  seat  in  his  barouche,  and  in  the  next,  which 
was  drawn  by  four  beautiful  bay  horses,  and  also  furnished 
by  Niles,  were  seated  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  and  the 
Secretary  of  War,  accompanied  by  the  Hon.  Charles  Devens, 
Jr.,  U.  S.  Marshal,  and  the  Hon.  Charles  T.  Russell. 

Next  followed  some  fifteen  carriages,  containing  the  mem¬ 
bers  of  the  Legislative  and  Municipal  Committees,  and  other 
gentlemen  of  distinction. 

A  detachment  of  the  Lancers,  twelve  in  number,  mounted 
on  fine  grey  horses,  and  commanded  by  Lieut.  Smith,  served 
as  a  body  guard  to  the  President. 

The  procession  marched  through  Park  street  to  Neponset 
Turnpike,  up  Adams  street,  over  Meeting-House  Hill,  into 
Boston  street,  and  through  Mount  Pleasant  and  Eustis  streets, 
to  the  line  of  Roxbury.  A  very  large  number  of  vehicles  of 
all  descriptions,  containing  many  of  the  good  citizens  of  Dor¬ 
chester  and  the  neighboring  towns,  followed  in  the  rear,  and, 
along  the  whole  route,  the  President  was  greeted  with  the 
most  enthusiastic  cheers,  accompanied  by  the  waving  of 
thousands  of  handkerchiefs  by  as  many  fair  hands — which 
he  acknowledged  by  gracefully  bowing  alternately  on  either 
side.  On  Meeting-House  Hill  there  was  an  array  of  nearly 
fifteen  hundred  of  the  school  children  of  Dorchester,  accom¬ 
panied  by  their  teachers  and  the  School  Committee,  and 
formed  in  lines  on  either  side  of  the  street,  so  that  the  pro¬ 
cession  might  pass  between  them.  The  children  had  their 
hats  and  bonnets  neatly  decorated  with  flowers  and  wreaths, 
and  each  school  was  designated  by  an  appropriate  banner. 
As  the  President  passed  the  children,  they  seemed  to  vie  with 
each  other  in  uttering  the  loudest  hurras.  Many  of  the 


58 


houses  and  most  of  the  public  buildings  along  the  route,  both 
in  Dorchester  and  Roxbury,  were  gaily  decorated  with  ban¬ 
ners  and  other  appropriate  indications  of  the  gladness  with 
which  the  people  welcomed  their  Chief  Magistrate. 

When  the  procession  reached  the  line,  on  Eustis  street, 
which  separates  Dorchester  from  Roxbury,  there  was  a  halt, 
and  the  distinguished  guests  were  surrendered  by  the  Dor¬ 
chester  authorities  to  those  of  Roxbury.  The  President  and 
his  associates  were  there  addressed  by  His  Honor,  Mayor 
Samuel  Walker,  in  a  short  and  appropriate  speech,  as  follows  : 

Mr.  President, — 

In  the  name,  and  in  behalf,  of  the  citizens  of  Roxbury,  I  have 
the  honor  to  tender  to  you  a  most  hearty  welcome  to  their  city. 

I  congratulate  you  on  your  fortunate  selection  of  this  opportu¬ 
nity  to  visit  the  metropolis  of  New  England — to  join  in  the  com¬ 
memoration  of  the  triumph  of  science  and  art  over  the  obstacles 
of  nature — to  witness  the  mighty  achievements  of  human  indus¬ 
try,  guided  by  intelligence,  in  levelling  mountains,  bridging  seas, 
and  thereby  uniting  nations  in  the  closest  bonds  of  interest  and 
affection. 

We  make  no  attempt  to  vie  with  our  sister  city  in  an  ostenta¬ 
tious  display  ;  we  make  no  military  parade  ;  we  present  no  scenes 
of  historic  interest  for  your  inspection ;  but,  Sir,  we  receive  you 
with  joy,  and  feel  honored  by  your  presence. 

To  these  words  of  welcome  and  congratulation,  the  Presi¬ 
dent  returned  the  following  reply  : 

Mr.  Mayor, — 

Permit  me  to  return  to  you,  and,  through  you,  to  the  authorities 
and  the  people  of  Roxbury,  my  profound  acknowledgements  for 
this  cordial  reception.  I  cannot  doubt  its  sincerity,  when  I  see 
your  streets  lined  with  citizens  and  strewn  with  flowers,  and 
meet  the  bright  eyes  of  woman  beaming  kindly  on  me  from  every 
quarter. 

I  regret  that  the  time  is  so  brief  that  I  cannot  refer  to  the 
many  interesting  associations  connected  with  the  history  of  Rox¬ 
bury.  In  reference,  however,  Sir,  to  your  comparison  of  this  city 
to  your  great  neighbor,  Boston,  I  may  say,  that,  although  you  do 
not  equal  her  in  population,  yet  for  beauty  of  scenery  your  city 
can  hardly  be  surpassed ;  for  miles  my  eyes  have  been  de¬ 
lighted  with  the  elegance  of  your  country  seats.  But  especially 
have  I  been  delighted  with  the  sight  of  the  many  happy  youthful 


59 


faces  that  remind  me  of  jour  common  schools,  those  nurseries  of 
intelligence  and  virtue. 

Permit  me  again,  Sir,  to  thank  you,  for  myself  and  in  behalf  of 
my  associates,  for  your  kind  and  cordial  reception. 

The  column,  now  strengthened  by  the  addition  of  a  fine 
cavalcade  of  about  three  hundred  of  the  citizens  of  Roxbury? 
proceeded  to  the  Boston  line  amidst  the  most  enthusiastic 
demonstrations  of  joy.  Guns  were  fired,  the  bells  rang 
loudly  and  merrily,  and  the  air  was  rent  with  shouts  of  wel¬ 
come  to  the  President. 

On  the  Neck,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  Line,  and  await¬ 
ing  the  arrival  of  the  President,  were  the  Mayor  of  Boston? 
the  Committee  of  Reception,  and  the  guests  of  the  city,  at¬ 
tended  by  mounted  Marshals,  as  follows  : 

Chief  Marshal — Major  General  John  S.  Tyler.  Aids — 
Major  John  C.  Park,  Col.  Frederick  W.  Lincoln,  Major  Joel 
Scott,  Major  C.  H.  Appleton,  Major  Lewis  W.  Tappan,  Wil¬ 
liam  H.  Foster,  Esq.,  Col.  Enoch  Train,  Col.  John  L.  Dim- 
mock,  B.  E.  Bates,  Peter  Butler,  Jr.,  Ives  G.  Bates,  Edward  F. 
Hall,  John  D.  W.  Joy,  Charles  T.  Savage,  F.  Lyman,  Henry 
C.  Lord,  Pliny  E.  Kingman,  J.  B.  Wheelock,  E.  Train,  Jr., 
T.  W.  Pierce,  D.  W.  Childs,  Frederick  A.  Allen,  Farnham 
Plummer,  Stephen  Rhoades,  H.  F.  Blodgett,  G.  F.  Train, 
Albert  Bowker,  Charles  F.  Lougee,  Beza  Lincoln,  Granville 
Mears,  J.  M.  Wightman,  F.  W.  Lincoln,  Jr.,  T.  H.  Leavitt, 
John  P.  Ober,  Jr.,  J.  B.  Richardson,  F.  L.  Winship,  Charles 
E.  Wiggin,  W.  H.  Learnard,  Jr.,  Alpheus  Hardy,  G.  F.  Wood¬ 
man,  F.  G.  Whiston,  George  Wheelwright,  J.  Russell  Brad¬ 
ford,  G.  A.  Batchelder,  M.  Field  Fowler,  H.  W.  Cushing,  and 
H.  L.  Richardson. 

At  the  same  place,  also,  and  drawn  up  in  line,  were  the 
troops  detailed  by  the  Commander-in-Chief  as  an  escort  of 
honor  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  under  the 
orders  of  Major  General  Edmands,  from  whose  command  the 
escort  of  Lancers  had  been  detailed  to  receive  the  President 
at  Dorchester. 


fiO 


DIVISION  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  VOL.  MILITIA, 

Commanded  by  Maj.  Gen.  B.  F.  Edmaxds. 

Lieut.  Col.  Francis  Boyd,  Division  Inspector. 

Maj.  Benjamin  C.  Howard,  Division  Quarter  Master. 

Maj.  Charles  G.  King  and  Maj.  John  L.  Plummer,  Aides-de-Camp. 

The  Division  was  composed  of  the  following  Brigades  : — 

FIRST  BRIGADE, 

Commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  Samuel  Andrews. 

Maj.  P.  Stearns  Davis,  Brigade  Inspector. 

Capt.  Daniel  Sharp,  Jun.,  Brigade  Quarter  Master. 

Capt.  Henry  C.  Brooks,  Aid-de-Camp. 

William  Baker,  Jun.,  Acting  Aid-de-Camp. 

The  first  Brigade  was  composed  of  a  corps  of  Cavalry,  the  Na¬ 
tional  Lancers,  the  5th  Regiment  of  Artillery,  and  the  1st  Regiment 
of  Light  Infantry 

FIFTH  REGIMENT  OF  ARTILLERY, 

Commanded  by  Col.  Robert  Cowdin. 

Lieut.  Col.  Henry  W.  Usher.  Maj.  Caleb  Page. 

Lieut.  Frederick  A.  Heath,  Quarter  Master. 

Dr.  Charles  E.  Buckingham,  Surgeon’s  Mate. 

Boston  Artillery,  Company  A,  Capt.  Thomas  H.  Evans. 

Columbian  “  “  B,  “  Elijah  Thompson. 

Washington  u  “  C,  “  William  W.  Bullock. 

Roxbury  “  “  D,  “  Moses  H.  Webber. 


FIRST  REGIMENT  OF  LIGHT  INFANTRY, 
Commanded  by  Col.  Charles  L.  Holbrook. 

Lieut.  Col.  John  C.  Boyd.  Maj.  James  A.  Abbott. 

Lieut.  Thomas  E.  Chickering,  Adjutant. 

T.  Lewis  Robinson,  Quarter  Master. 


u 


Boston  Light  Infantry,  Company  A, 

Capt.  Ossian  D.  Ashley. 

New  England  Guards, 

u 

B, 

“  Josiah  P.  Bradlee. 

Pulaski  Guards, 

u 

c, 

a  Albert  J.  Wright. 

Boston  Light  Guard, 

a 

L>, 

“  George  Clark,  Jun. 

City  Guards, 

« 

E, 

1st  Lt.  David  Pulsifer,  Com 

Boston  Fusileers, 

F, 

Capt.  William  Mitchell. 

Washington  Light  Guard, 

u 

G, 

u  Thomas  Savory. 

Winthrop  Guard, 

n 

H, 

“  William  C.  Cassell. 

61 


Company  I,  Capt.  Abijah  S.  Merriam. 

“  L,  “  Jeremiah  B.  Moore. 

“  M,  1st  Lt.  Rob’t  C.  Nichols,  Com’g. 
Capt.  Thomas  S.  Pierce. 

A  BRIGADE, 

Commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  Joseph  Andrews. 

Maj.  D.  Goodwin  Lang,  Brigade  Inspector. 

Capt.  Francis  W.  Bigelow,  Brigade  Quarter  Master. 

Capt.  J.  G.  Chase,  Aid-de-Camp. 

Lieut.  John  G.  Willis,  and 

Nehemiah  Brown,  Jun.,  Acting  Aides-de-Camp. 

This  Brigade  was  constituted  for  the  occasion,  and  embraced  two 
Regiments  of  Light  Infantry  and  a  Battalion  of  Rifles. 

A  REGIMENT  OF  LIGHT  INFANTRY, 

Commanded  by  Col.  J.  Durell  Greene. 

Lieut.  Col.  Horace  Williams.  Maj.  Edmund  A.  Parker. 

Lieut.  N.  A.  M.  Dudley,  Adjutant. 

“  Samuel  J.  Ladd,  Quarter  Master. 

Lieut.  Josiah  Porter,  Paymaster. 

Dr.  Henry  B.  C.  Greene,  Surgeon. 

William  A.  Allen,  Quarter  Master  Sergeant. 


Norfolk  Guard, 
Mass.  Volunteers, 
Warren  Infantry, 
National  Lancers, 


LIGHT  INFANTRY. 

Comp.  C,  4th  Regt.  (Cambridge  City  Guards)  Capt.  Geo.  A.  Meacham. 


n 

a 

it 

a 

a 

a 

it 


a 


D,  “ 

G,  “ 

C,  5  th,  “ 

D,  “ 

E,  “ 

B,  8th  “ 

C,  “ 


u 


a 


a 


u 


(Charlestown  City  Guard) 
(Woburn  Phalanx) 
(Lowell  Phalanx) 

(Lowell  City  Guards) 
(Acton  Davis  Guards) 
(Worcester  Light  Inf.) 
(Worcester  City  Guards) 


a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 


Geo.  P.  Sanger. 
Wm.  T.  Grammar. 
Thos.  G.  Farmer. 
Swan  L.  Lesure. 
W.  E.  Faulkner. 
Edward  Lamb. 
John  M.  Goodhue. 


A  REGIMENT  OF  LIGHT  INFANTRY, 

Commanded  by  Col.  Nathan  P.  Colburn. 

Lieut.  Col.  Thomas  A.  Parsons.  Maj.  Solon  Dike. 

Lieut.  Henry  Merritt,  Adjutant. 

“  George  0.  Carpenter,  Quarter  Master. 

“  William  II.  P.  Wright,  Paymaster. 

Dr.  Josiah  Norcross,  Surgeon. 


62 


Salem  Light  Infantry,  Comp.  A,  6th  Lt.  Inf.,  Capt.  Wm.  C.  Endicott. 


Salem  Mec. 

Lt. 

Inf. 

a 

B,  “ 

(( 

a 

u 

Benj.  R.  White. 

Marblehead 

a 

u 

C,  “ 

a 

u 

a 

Jos.  Gregory. 

Beverly 

u 

a 

u 

E,  « 

u 

a 

a 

Jos.  W.  Hildreth. 

Winchester, 

u 

(( 

a 

A,  7  th, 

a 

a 

{( 

Fred.  0.  Prince. 

Stoneham, 

a 

a 

u 

C,  “ 

u 

u 

a 

Lyman  Dike. 

*  Lawrence 

u 

u 

« 

I,  “ 

u 

a 

u 

Jos.  M.  Dodge. 

BATTALION  OF  RIFLES, 

Commanded  by  Major  William  Saunders. 

Jesse  B.  Edwards,  Adjutant. 

Mech.  Riflemen,  (annexed  to  1st  Lt.  Inf.  Reg’t.,)  Capt.  S.  G.  Adams. 
Marlborough  Rifle,  “  5th  “  “  “  “  Daniel  Pope. 

FOR  SALUTE  DUTY  ON  ITtH  OF  SEPTEMBER. 

Fall  River  Artillery,  Com.  B,  4th  Artillery,  Capt.  John  B.  Sandford. 
Charlestown  u  “  D,  1st  u  “  Ezra  G.  Huntley. 

The  troops  were  accompanied  by  numerous  and  well  ap¬ 
pointed  bands,  including  all  those  belonging  to  the  city,  and 
a  large  number  from  other  places. 

The  Mayor  and  his  Suite  were  drawn  up  on  the  east  side 
of  Washington  street,  while  the  west  was  occupied  by  the 
long  line  of  troops  composing  the  escort. 

The  scene  which  was  presented  to  the  eye,  at  the  moment 
(12  o’clock),  when  a  discharge  of  artillery  announced  that 
the  President  had  reached  the  line,  was  singularly  beautiful 
and  imposing,  and  perhaps  in  no  part  of  the  City  could  a  spot 
have  been  selected,  so  well  adapted,  as  that,  to  give  effect  to 
the  ceremony  which  was  about  to  be  performed.  Com¬ 
mencing  at  the  line,  a  broad  avenue,  lined  on  either  side  by 
a  row  of  noble  elms,  stretches  down  towards  the  heart  of  the 
City,  in  which  direction,  the  view  from  a  gentle  elevation  in 
the  avenue  near  the  line,  is  unbroken  for  more  than  half  a 
mile,  when  a  graceful  curve  terminates  the  vista. 

*  Company  B,  of  the  5th  Regiment  of  Light  Infantry,  “  the  Pepperell  Light 
Infantry,”  was  represented  by  its  Captain,  George  Thomas  Bancroft,  its  1st  Lieu¬ 
tenant  and  Orderly  Sergeant.  The  privates  did  not  receive  notice  of  the  “  Order” 
in  season  to  appear. 


63 


Stretching  across  from  tree  to  tree  or  from  house  to  house, 
gay  lines  of  flags  were  floating  in  the  breeze,  while  the  ample 
sidewalks  were  thronged  with  the  crowds  who  had  eagerly 
assembled  to  see  and  to  welcome  their  President.  A  wide 
space  in  the  centre  of  the  avenue,  flanked,  on  the  one  hand,  by 
the  train  of  carriages  containing  the  authorities  and  the  guests 
of  the  City,  and,  on  the  other,  by  the  military  companies  com¬ 
posing  the  escort,  was  kept  open  ;  and  towards  this  now  ap¬ 
proached  the  President  with  his  Suite,  escorted  by  the  Lan¬ 
cers,  with  their  bright  uniforms,  glancing  spears  and  floating 
pennons.  Having  advanced,  amid  the  pealing  of  cannon,  the 
shouts  of  the  multitude,  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs,  and  the 
inspiring  sounds  of  martial  music,  within  the  line  of  the 
escort,  the  troops  gave  the  military  salute,  and  the  President’s 
barouche  was  drawn  up  by  the  side  of  that  in  which  the 
Mayor  was  seated. 

The  Hon.  Henry  Wilson,  President  of  the  Senate,  who 
was  in  the  President’s  carriage,  now  rose,  and  presented  the 
President  to  Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow,  who  welcomed  him  to  the 
City  in  the  following  appropriate  and  eloquent  manner  : — 

Sir, — 

The  people  of  Boston  now  crowd  her  gates  to  receive,  with 
tokens  of  honor,  the  great  head  of  the  Republic,  and,  in  their 
name,  I  bid  you  welcome  to  this  metropolis.  We  regard  it  as  a 
happy  omen  that  we  receive  you  on  the  spot  where  our  fathers 
gathered  to  hail  the  coming  of  Washington,  in  the  first  year  of  his 
presidency.  The  contrast  exhibited,  between  that  period  and  this, 
is  striking  and  instructive.  The  salutations  extended  to  the  first 
President  were  the  offering  of  only  eighteen  thousand  inhabitants, 
—the  welcome,  tendered  to  his  successor  this  day,  is  the  voice 
of  a  population  of  one  hundred  and  forty  thousand.  The  ruler, 
who  was  then  received,  administered  the  affairs  of  less  than  four 
millions  of  people,  who  had  but  lately  emerged  from  the  smoke  of 
battle  for  independence,  and  were  just  beginning,  under  the 
auspices  of  liberty  and  union,  to  take  rank  among  the  nations  of 
the  earth.  You,  Sir,  we  acknowledge  as  the  Executive  Chief  of  a 
population  of  twenty-five  millions,  living  in  the  enjoyment  of  an 
amount  of  prosperity  and  happiness,  almost  unparalleled  in  the 
history  of  the  world. 

By  a  remarkable  coincidence,  which  doubtless  has  occurred  to 
yourself,  you  visit  us  on  the  anniversary  of  the  completion  of  the 


64 


Federal  Constitution.  It  is  a  day  peculiarly  fitting  for  our  recep¬ 
tion  of  him,  whose  authority  as  the  Federal  Chief  Magistrate,  is 
derived  from  that  great  compact.  The  day  has  also  a  special 
interest  for  this  city, — for  it  is  the  anniversary  of  its  settlement. 
While  the  occasion  thus  calls  to  mind  the  Philadelphia  conclave 
and  the  Pilgrim  colony,  I  trust  that  you  will  recognize  in  the 
character  of  our  citizens  and  their  institutions,  the  happily  blended 
influences  of  the  puritan  and  the  patriot. 

You  have  recently  visited  Virginia,  and  now  stand  upon  the 
soil  of  Massachusetts.  The  names  of  those  States  recall  the 
story  of  the  Revolution,  and  the  patriotic  part,  sustained  by  each 
of  them  in  its  momentous  scenes.  YVur  reception  in  the  Old 
Dominion  indicates  her  fealty  to  the  Union,  and  the- principles  on 
which  it  rests.  This  day  will  furnish  evidence  of  the  fidelity  of 
the  Bay  State,  also,  to  that  Union,  and  those  principles,  by  the 
manner  in  which  her  people  will  testify  their  regard  for  the  faith¬ 
ful  administrator  of  the  Constitution  and  the  Laws. 

It  has  been  the  custom  of  war,  Sir,  for  the  inhabitants  of  cap¬ 
tured  cities  to  bring  forth  the  keys  and  lay  them  at  the  victor’s 
feet.  We  greet  your  approach  with  a  nobler  tribute  than  was  ever 
proffered  to  conciliate  a  conqueror’s  mercy.  The  hearts  of  our 
people  are  here,  to  welcome  their  civic  father,  with  grateful  and 
affectionate  respect,  to  the  homes  and  firesides  of  his  children. 
[Enthusiastic  cheering.] 

To  this  address  the  President  replied  in  substance  as  fol¬ 
lows  : — 

Mr.  Mayor, — 

I  receive  from  you,  as  the  executive  organ  of  this  proud  City, 
this  welcome  to  me  and  my  associates,  with  profound  gratitude 
and  emotion. 

You  have  alluded  to  the  fact,  that  this  is  the  anniversary  of  the 
day  on  which  the  Constitution  was  completed,  and  you  have  also 
alluded  to  the  visit  of  General  Washington  to  this  City.  What  a 
change  has  taken  place  since  the  time  when  he  first  visited  this 
City,  not  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  the  cordial  congratulations 
of  her  citizens,  but  for  that  of  defending  her  against  the  great  and 
then  adverse  power  of  the  mother  country.  If  my  memory  serves 
me  aright,  that  son  of  Virginia,  he  who  connected  the  fate  of  that 
State  with  yours,  when  appointed,  at  Philadelphia,  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United  Colonies,  set  out  forthwith 
from  that  place  for  the  seat  of  war.  History  tells  us  that  he  trav¬ 
elled  from  Philadelphia  to  this  vicinity  in  eleven  days,  and  that 
on  his  arrival  the  good  people  of  Watertown  gathered  together 
and  congratulated  him  on  the  speed  of  his  journey. 


65 


What  has  brought  about  this  change  ?  Why  is  it  that  the  dis¬ 
tance  which  it  took  him  eleven  days  to  travel  over,  and  that,  too, 
when  a  most  critical  state  of  affairs  called  for  the  utmost  speed, 
has  now  been  passed  over  by  me,  as  a  matter  of  pleasure,  in  almost 
as  many  hours  ?  It  is  owing,  in  great  part,  to  the  intelligence  of 
your  citizens,  who  have  also  opened  avenues  of  commerce  to  the 
western  world,  which  is  now,  through  them,  pouring  into  your  lap 
her  rich  treasures.  You  have  stretched,  too,  your  Briarean  arms 
to  the  capital  of  my  own  State,  and  laid  her  under  contribution, 
and  have  now  reached  even  to  the  Canadas,  and  made  them  also 
contributors  to  your  still  increasing  wealth. 

These  evidences  of  civilization  and  intelligence,  the  greeting 
which  I  have  everywhere  received  since  I  stepped  upon  the  bor¬ 
ders  of  your  State,  and  the  welcome  now  so  cordially  extended  to 
me  by  this  City,  convince  me,  that  the  Constitution  which  receiv¬ 
ed  its  fiat  at  the  hands  of  Washington,  on  the  17th  of  September, 
in  the  year  1787,  will,  at  this  day,  be  maintained  by  you,  at  all 
hazards  and  at  every  sacrifice.  [Loud,  long- continued,  and  en¬ 
thusiastic  cheering.]  I  not  only  see  in  the  intelligence  of  your 
citizens  the  moral  power,  but  I  see,  in.  the  troops  before  me, — a 
military  display  of  which  Boston  may  well  be  proud, — the  physical 
force  to  accomplish  this  purpose.  [Cheers.] 

It  only  remains  for  me,  Sir,  to  repeat  my  sincere  thanks  for  the 
kind  and  flattering  reception  you  have  extended  to  me  and  to  my 
associates. 

Upon  the  conclusion  of  his  address,  the  President  took  a 
seat  in  the  open  barouche  of  the  Mayor, — who  alone  rode 
with  him  during  the  march  of  the  procession.  The 
carriage  was  then  driven  back  to  the  head  of  the  escort, 
so  as  to  give  the  President  a  favorable  opportunity  to  view 
the  military.  By  this  move,  which  drew  the  spectators  up 
towards  the  Roxbury  line,  the  column  of  our  citizen  sol¬ 
diery  was  thrown  more  open  to  the  inspection  of  Col.  Horne, 
and  a  large  number  of  other  officers  of  the  British  army  ;  who, 
dressed  in  their  brilliant  uniforms,  accompanied  the  Mayor, 
and  attracted  great  attention.  The  division  next  counter¬ 
marched  before  the  President,  and  then  the  line  of  march 
was  taken  up.  The  route  was  down  Washington  street, 
through  East  Dover  street,  to  Harrison  avenue,  do\vn  Har¬ 
rison  avenue,  through  Beach  to  Lincoln  street,  and  through 
Summer,  Washington,  and  Court  streets,  to  the  Revere 
House.  Throughout  this  whole  distance  a  dense  crowd 

9 


66 


lined  the  streets,  and  the  President  was  greeted  with  the 
heartiest  cheers.  Every  window  and  balcony  commanding 
a  view  of  the  procession  was  filled  with  ladies  and  chil¬ 
dren,  and  the  roofs  of  the  houses  were  covered  with  men. 
Streamers  were  stretched  across  the  streets,  flags  were  float¬ 
ing  at  every  turn,  the  eye  could  find  no  rest  from  the  inces¬ 
sant  waving  of  white  handkerchiefs,  and  the  whole  route 
was  in  the  highest  degree  bright  and  gay  with  the  emblems 
of  rejoicing. 

To  notice  all  the  decorations  which  gave  to  the  streets, 
through  which  the  procession  passed,  such  a  joyous  aspect, 
would  now  be  almost  impossible,  as  a  record  of  the  more 
prominent  ones  only  has  been  preserved.  All,  however,  were 
characterized  by  good  taste,  and  each,  however  unpretend¬ 
ing,  contributed  something  to  the  general  beauty  of  the  dis¬ 
play.  The  following  imperfect  description  may  serve,  never¬ 
theless,  to  give  some  idea  of  the  reality. 

At  Harrison  Square,  in  Dorchester,  the  place  where  the 
President  and  Suite  alighted  from  the  cars,  there  was  a  fine 
display  of  banners,  streamers  and  emblematic  devices.  On 
one  side  of  the  railroad  was  erected  a  scaffolding  and  frame 
work,  covered  with  an  awning  and  ornamented  with  taste¬ 
fully  festooned  streamers  and  rosettes  of  evergreen.  The 
depot  was  surmounted  by  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  and  other 
handsome  decorations.  Stretched  from  the  depot  to  the 
house  and  flagstaff  opposite,  was  a  rich  display  of  Ameri¬ 
can  flags,  and  across  the  street  a  flag  bearing  the  word 
“  Union.” 

Leaving  the  Square,  the  first  object  that  greeted  the  eye 
was  a  handsome  arch  erected  across  Park  street,  bearing  the 
words,  “  Welcome  Guest.”  In  its  centre  was  a  very  pretty 
wreath  of  flowers,  and  the  pillars  of  the  arch  were  wound 
around  with  streamers  and  bands  of  oak  leaves. 

On  Eustis  street,  Roxbury,  over  the  beautifully  situated 
mansion  of  John  S.  Sleeper,  Esq.,  editor  of  the  Journal, 
floated  a  large  American  flag,  and  in  front  of  his  tasteful 
grounds  Avere  erected  temporary  platforms,  which  A\rere  occu¬ 
pied  by  a  large  delegation  of  the  fair  daughters  of  our  sister 
city. 


67 


Many  other  houses  attracted  particular  notice  for  the  neat  and 
tasteful  arrangements  of  the  various  standards  which  floated 
from  the  windows.  Long  and  brightly  colored  streamers  hung 
in  graceful  festoons  from  the  buildings,  and  had  a  fine  effect. 

Passing  down  Washington  street,  the  residence  of  D.  Ham¬ 
lin,  Esq.,  presented  a  striking  appearance.  A  line  of  beautiful 
flags  was  thrown  across  the  street,  and  the  columns  in  front 
of  the  house  were  entwined  with  streamers. 

The  house  of  Dr.  Willard,  fronting  on  Blackstone  square,  in 
■which  the  fountain  was  in  full  play  and  glittering  in  the  sun, 
was  handsomely  dressed  with  a  variety  of  tasteful  ornaments. 

Immediately  below,  on  Washington  street,  the  house  of 
Mr.  Lougee  was  ornamented  with  streamers  and  pennons,  and 
a  line  of  flags  was  run  across  the  street,  embracing  the 
Union  Jack,  and  the  American  colors,  and  between  both,  the 
inscription — 

Welcome  !  President  Fillmore  ! 

At  the  house  of  Mr.  David  Pulsifer,  a  golden  eagle  held  in 
his  beak  long  streamers,  a  large  American  flag  floated  from 
one  of  the  windows,  and  graceful  festoons  and  gay  pennons 
Waved  over  the  balustrades. 

The  buildings  of  Isaac  Cary,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  John  M.  May, 
were  ornamented  with  much  taste.  Flags  were  suspended 
across  the  street,  and  upon  the  building  of  Mr.  Cary,  decked 
with  streamers,  was  the  inscription — 

President  Fillmore — The  President  of  the  Nation,  and 

not  of  a  Party. 

On  the  balustrade  was  displayed  the  motto — 

In  our  Union  is  our  Strength. 

At  the  corner  of  Dover  street  and  Harrison  avenue,  a  line 
of  flags  was  suspended  across  the  street,  and  a  large  single  flag 
was  displayed  by  Major  Frederick  K.  Tyler.  The  view,  on 
turning  into  Harrison  avenue,  was  very  animating.  Here,  as 
on  the  other  streets,  crowds  filled  the  sidewalks,  and  gave 
a  lively  appearance  to  the  scene.  Mr.  Silas  Allen  displayed 
a  full  length  portrait  of  Washington,  with  the  legend, 
“  Sacred  to  Liberty  !  ”  Three  large  flags,  French  and 


G8 


American  colors,  were  suspended  across  the  street,  the  centre 
banner  bearing  the  words — 

u  Welcome  !  our  President  !  ” 

The  house  of  P.  E.  Gay,  Esq.,  was  adorned  with  a  por¬ 
trait  of  the  Goddess  of  Liberty,  and  an  array  of  banners  and 
streamers  joined  the  sides  of  the  avenue.  The  motto — 

On  Earth  Peace  and  Good  Will. 

was  displayed  from  one  of  the  upper  windows. 

On  the  building  of  Mr.  Warren,  No.  8,  Harrison  avenue, 
was  an  emblematic  portrait  of  Justice,  while  the  usual  line  of 
flags  was  suspended  across  the  front.  Underneath,  and  on 
the  house  was  inscribed. — 

4 

Anglo-Saxons. 

From  the  Armory  of  the  Boston  Light  Infantry,  on  Wash¬ 
ington  street,  was  suspended  the  American  flag,  bearing,  on 
one  side,  the  name,  and  the  date  of  the  organization,  of  the 
company — and  on  the  reverse,  its  ever  memorable  motto, — 
u  Death  or  an  PIonorable  Life.” 

The  China  Tea  Store  was  finely  decorated  with  a  large 
number  of  flags  and  streamers.  Partridge  &  Co.  displayed  a 
large  American  flag.  Mr.  James  H.  Foster  stretched  a  line  of 
colors  across  the  street.  The  flag  of  the  Whig  Reading  Room 
next  met  the  eye,  bearing  upon  it  the  names  of  “  Winthrop 
and  Grinnell.”  The  store  of  Mr.  Armington,  merchant  tailor, 
was  very  tastefully  ornamented.  From  the  upper  windows 
of  the  building  at  the  corner  of  State  and  Washington  streets, 
were  exhibited  a  number  of  small  and  neat  American  flags. 
The  office  of  the  “  Commonwealth  ”  newspaper  was  deco¬ 
rated  in  a  similar  manner. 

Passing  up  Court  street,  from  “  Thompson  Hall,”  the 
Armory  of  the  City  Guards,  near  the  head  of  Hanover  street, 
were  displayed  several  lines  of  flags  and  streamers. 

The  route  ended  at  the  Revere  House,  where  was  seen  one 
of  the  finest  displays  of  the  occasion.  From  the  flagstaff  on 
its  lofty  roof  floated,  together,  the  Stars  and  Stripes  and  the 
Union  Jack.  From  each  corner  of  the  main  building  was 
displayed  an  American  flag.  The  portico  in  front  was  trim- 


69 


med  with  excellent  taste.  From  each  corner  was  suspended, 
in  graceful  festoons,  the  English  and  French  flags,  meeting 
in  the  centre  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  which  overhung  the  others 
as  if  to  bind  them  together  in  close  embrace.  Small  flags 
were  displayed  from  other  parts  of  the  building.  From  the 
house,  across  to  the  Bowdoin  Square  Church,  was  thrown  a 
line  of  flags,  embracing  those  of  England,  France,  and  the 
United  States.  The  latter  bore  the  inscription — 

“  Of  one  Blood,  all  Nations.” 

And  on  the  reverse, 

“  Peace  shall  Preserve  what  Liberty  Bequeathed.” 

Along  the  entire  route,  as  the  eye  glanced  down  the 
streets  on  each  side,  it  was  greeted  with  the  sight  of  flags 
and  streamers,  intermingled  in  many  instances  with  the  green 
foliage  of  the  trees,  and  making  with  them  a  most  exhilerat- 
ing  show. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  column  at  the  Revere  House,  at  half 
past  two  o’clock,  the  President  was  received  by  a  battalion 
of  Cadets,  detailed  by  the  Commander-in-Chief  to  attend  as  a 
guard  of  honor  at  the  quarters  of  the  President,  and  under 
the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Thomas  C.  Amory.  The  bat¬ 
talion  consisted  of — 

First  Division — Boston  Independent  Cadets,  Lieut.  Col. 
Thomas  C.  Amory. 

Second  Division — Salem  Independent  Cadets,  Capt.  Sam¬ 
uel  B.  Foster. 

The  President  was  then  escorted  to  his  quarters  by  Mr. 
Mayor  Bigelow,  and  introduced  to  the  members  of  the  Board 
of  Aldermen  and  of  the  Common  Council.  The  military 
escort  was  then  dismissed  until  the  hour  fixed  for  the  review 
on  the  Common.  Large  delegations  from  Salem,  Lowell, 
Cambridge,  and  Charlestown,  Were  presented  to  the  President, 
and  invited  him  to  visit  those  cities. 

The  demonstrations  of  welcome,  made  from  the  Revere 
House  and  other  buildings  upon  Bowdoin  square,  on  the 
arrival  of  the  President,  were  of  the  most  enthusiastic  char¬ 
acter.  The  windows  were  bright  with  smiling  faces,  and 


70 


the  Square  and  every  avenue  leading  to  it  closely  packed 
with  a  thronging  multitude.  Deafening  cheers  went  up  con¬ 
tinually  from  that  mass  of  men,  while  the  noiseless  welcome 
of  women  everywhere  greeted  the  eye,  and  the  President 
gracefully  and  heartily  acknowledged  both. 

At  the  Revere  House,  the  President  met  the  Hon.  Daniel 
Webster,  Secretary  of  State,  who  had  come  from  his  farm 
at  Marshfield,  (where  he  was  making  his  usual  summer  visit) 
for  the  purpose  of  meeting  President  Fillmore  and  his  asso¬ 
ciates  in  the  Cabinet,  on  this  occasion. 

After  the  reception  of  His  Excellency,  George  S.  Boutwell, 
Governor  of  the  Commonwealth,  the  President  and  the  mem¬ 
bers  of  his  Cabinet  were  escorted  to  the  rooms  of  the  State 
and  City  Committees,  ^and  there  partook  of  a  collation  pro¬ 
vided  by  those  Committees. 

At  half  past  three  o’clock,  the  President  and  Suite  and  the 
Legislative  Committee  left  the  Revere  House,  and,  escorted 
by  the  Independent  Cadets  of  Boston,  and  the  fine  company 
of  the  same  name  belonging  to  Salem,  proceeded  to  the  State 
House. 

The  galleries  and  the  body  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
were  filled  to  overflowing  long  before  the  arrival  of  the  Presi¬ 
dent.  Seats  had  been  reserved  for  the  President  and  Suite, 
for  the  Governor  and  Council,  and  for  the  Legislative  Com¬ 
mittee  of  Arrangements.  In  the  body  of  the  House  were 
many  of  the  Overseers,  and  members  of  the  Faculty,  of  Har¬ 
vard  University,  officers  of  the  Army  and  Navy,  and  many 
distinguished  citizens  of  our  own  and  other  States. 

At  a  quarter  before  four  o’clock,  the  Governor  and  Council 
entered  the  Hall,  and  took  the  places  which  had  been  assigned 
to  them.  The  cheering,  outside,  now  indicated  the  Presi¬ 
dent’s  approach,  and  in  a  few  minutes  he  entered,  accom¬ 
panied  by  Mr.  Webster,  Mr.  Stuart,  Mr.  Conrad,  and  the 
Legislative  Committee.  The  audience  rose  to  receive  them. 
As  soon  as  silence  was  restored,  General  Wilson  presented  the 
President  to  Governor  Boutwell,  who  addressed  him  as  fol¬ 
lows  : — 


71 


Mr.  President: — 

It  is  my  agreeable  duty,  in  accordance  with  the  unanimous  vote 
of  the  Legislature,  and  in  the  name  of  the  people  of  Massachu¬ 
setts,  to  tender  to  you  a  generous  welcome  to  the  territory  and 
the  hospitalities  of  this  Commonwealth. 

And  we  wish  to  extend  to  those  distinguished  sons  of  other 
States  who  are  associated  with  you  in  the  administration  of  the 
national  government  an  equal  welcome.  Nor  will  we  forget,  on  this 
occasion,  to  welcome  and  honor  him  whom  Massachusetts  has 
honored  through  a  large  part  of  her  constitutional  history. 

The  words  of  welcome  are  upon  my  lips,  but  the  sentiment  is 
in  the  hearts  of  the  people. 

They  respect  the  purity  of  your  private  life  ;  they  appreciate 
the  duration,  variety  and  elevated  character  of  your  public  ser¬ 
vices  ;  and,  finally,  they  welcome  you  as  the  chief  magistrate  of 
the  American  republic. 

We  invite  you  to  a  more  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  people 
of  Massachusetts^— to  an  examination  of  their  mechanical  and  man¬ 
ufacturing  skill  and  success,  and  to  a  nearer  view  of  their  com¬ 
mercial  and  agricultural  resources  and  power. 

We  shall  gladly  open  to  your  inspection  our  institutions  of  dif¬ 
ferent  orders  for  the  reformation  of  the  guilty— -our  asylums  for 
the  care  and  restoration  of  the  deaf,  the  dumb,  the  blind,  and  the 
insane— -our  schools,  academies,  and  colleges,  established  and 
maintained  for  the  education  of  the  whole  people. 

And  especially  do  we  desire  to  direct  your  attention  to  the 
system  of  railways,  whose  net-work  has  been  spread  over  Massa¬ 
chusetts  and  New  England  within  the  last  twenty  years. 

We  trust  that  you  will  see,  in  that  system,  not  only  evidence  of 
past  accumulation  of  wealth,  but  also  clear  indications  of  future 
growth  and  prosperity.. 

Nor  shall  we  attempt  to  conceal  from  you  the  darker  side  of 
our  character  :  for  the  poor,  the  ignorant,  and  the  vicious  are 
still  found  amongst  us. 

But  we  desire  to  assure  you,  that,  on  this  occasion,  we  forget  all 
names  and  distinctions,  but  the  honorable  one  of  American  citizens  ; 
that  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past,  Massachusetts  will  prove  true  to 
the  Constitution  and  the  Union  ;  that  she  will  know  no  North,  no 
South,  no  East,  no  West,  but  only  the  Republic,  one  and  indi- 
visable. 

And  for  yourself,  Sir,  allow  us  to  hope  that  your  public  life  may 
be  agreeable  to  you  and  beneficial  to  the  country — -and  that  in 
your  hours  of  retirement  you  may  enjoy  the  usual  rewards  of  a 
virtuous,  private  and  public,  career. 


72 


President  Fillmore  replied  as  follows : 

Governor  oe  Massachusetts, — 

Under  no  circumstances  could  I  have  received  such  a  welcome 
as  this  through  the  executive  head  of  this  great  State,  without 
feeling  the  deepest  emotions  of  gratitude.  From  the  moment  I 
reached  the  borders  of  your  State,  I  have  every  where  met  with 
a  welcome  which  I  could  not  have  anticipated. 

You  have  said,  Sir,  that  your  institutions  of  every  kind  are 
open  to  the  inspection  of  myself  and  of  those  associated  with  me. 
It  is  a  gratification  to  me  to  be  permitted  to  look  into  the  institu¬ 
tions  of  this  State,  the  most  flourishing,  perhaps,  of  any  in  the 
Union.  You  have  said,  Sir,  that  Massachusetts  is  prepared  to 
sustain  the  Constitution  and  the  Union.  Sir,  as  I  passed  through 
this  city  and  saw  its  streets  lined  for  miles  with  a  dense  multitude 
of  people,  and  witnessed  the  perfect  order  that  every  where  pre¬ 
vailed,  I  could  not  for  a  moment  believe  that  this  community, 
though  often  excited,  could  ever  he  brought  to  commit  treason 
against  the  United  States.  [Applause.] 

Sir,  it  has  been  my  duty, — sometimes  a  painful  one, — to  exe¬ 
cute  the  laws  of  the  Union  upon  those  who  did  not  approve  of 
them.  This  must  inevitably  be  the  case  with  all  who  occupy  the 
position  which  I  now  hold.  But,  Sir,  I  see  manifested  in  the  faces 
of  this  intelligent  community  that  which  assures  me,  that  so  far 
as  this  City  is  concerned,  and  I  believe  so  far  as  this  State  is  con¬ 
cerned,  this  duty,  however  painful  it  may  be,  may  hereafter  be 
performed  with  ease.  [Applause.] 

Sir,  I  congratulate  you  on  the  proud  distinction  your  State  has 
acquired  from  the  prosecution  and  completion  of  her  great  works 
of  internal  improvement.  You  have  stretched  out  your  railroads 
to  the  North  and  invited  her  Commerce ;  and  she  is  now  pouring 
her  tribute  into  your  lap.  May  you  and  those  associated  with 
you  long  live  to  enjoy  this  rich  blessing.  You  have  taught  your 
sister  States  that  although  you  do  not  possess  the  power  of  invit¬ 
ing  commerce  by  canals,  you  can  yet  stretch  forth  your  iron 
arms,  reach  the  remotest  cities  of  the  Union,  and  bring  hither 
their  wealth  and  their  productions. 

Sir,  it  does  not  become  me  to  express  for  them  the  emotions  of 
those  who  accompany  me.  They  can  speak  for  themselves  far 
better  than  I  can  speak  for  them.  Permit  me,  however,  in  con¬ 
clusion,  to  say  that  I  receive  this  testimony  of  respect  from  the 
City  of  Boston  and  the  State  of  Massachusetts  not  so  much  as  a 
testimony  of  respect  to  myself,  as  an  evidence  of  their  devotion 
to  our  Union  and  to  our  glorious  Constitution,  and  of  their  deter¬ 
mination  to  maintain  them.  [Loud  and  prolonged  cheers.] 


73 


As  soon  as  the  President  had  concluded  his  remarks,  Mr. 
Webster  was  presented  to  the  Governor  by  Benjamin  Stevens, 
Esq.,  Sergeant-at-Arms.  He  was  greeted  with  great  cheering 
by  the  audience,  and  spoke  as  follows: 

May  it  please  youe  Excellency, — 

This  occasion  is  not  mine.  Its  honors  or  its  duties  are  not  due 
to,  or  from  me.  The  State,  the  great  State,  the  old  State,  the  old 
patriotic  Bunker  Hill  and  Eaneuil  Hall  State  of  Massachusetts, 
has  invited  the  President  of  the  United  States  within  her  borders. 
To  your  honored  person,  and  to  your  honored  office,  may  it  please 
your  Excellency,  this  visit  is  paid.  Nevertheless,  I  am  a  good 
deal  touched  by  your  Excellency’s  allusion  to  me  and  to  the  length 
of  my  public  service. 

As  I  have  said,  Sir,  the  occasion  belongs  to  the  President,  and 
to  those  of  his  Cabinet  who  are  strangers.  Thank  God,  I  am  no 
stranger  here.  [Applause.]  I  am  of  Massachusetts — bone  of 
her  bone,  and  flesh  of  her  flesh,  [cheers]  and  I  would  rather  re¬ 
joice  in  taking  a  part  with  you,  may  it  please  your  Excellency,  as 
the  Governor  of  the  State,  and  my  fellow  citizens  who  surround 
you,  in  paying  honor  to  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
than  in  acting  any  part,  or  in  demanding  any  part,  toward 
myself.  [Cheers.] 

And,  may  it  please  your  Excellency,  I  wish,  in  the  first  place, 
to  say  that,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  I  wish  entire  success  to 
your  administration  of  the  great  affairs  of  this  State.  Into  whose¬ 
soever  hands  these  affairs  may  fall,  if  they  are  fairly  and  impar¬ 
tially  administered,  those  hands  shall  have  my  hand  in  their  sup¬ 
port  and  maintenance.  [Applause.] 

In  the  next  place,  I  wish  to  say  that  I  devoutly  wish  that  the 
great  interests  of  the  Commonwealth  may  prosper.  Our  interests 
are  various.  They  are  complex.  We  have  a  million  of  people 
living  on  a  very  small  surface — on  a  sterile  soil,  and  beneath  an 
inclement  sky ;  and  yet  we  are  full  of  happiness,  and  all  are,  as 
we  say  in  the  country,  u  well-to-do  in  the  world,  and  enjoying 
neighbor’s  fare.”  [Cheers.]  Now,  that  must  be  owing  to  wise 
legislation.  It  must  be  owing  to  great  economy  and  prudence 
among  the  people.  It  must  be  owing  to  a  system  of  education. 
It  must  be  owing  to  something  that  is  not  in  the  earth,  nor  in  the 
sky,  but  in  the  soul  and  heart  of  man,  woman  and  child.  [Re¬ 
newed  cheers.]  And  these,  I  hope,  will  prosper. 

I  not  only  hope  that  every  local  concern  of  this  great  Common¬ 
wealth,  under  your  administration,  and  those  of  your  successors, 
may  prosper,  but  above  all,  above  all ,  a  sentiment  I  can  never  re¬ 
press,  and  hardly  postpone,  my  ardent  prayer  is,  that  this  whole 

10  • 


74 


country,  bound  together  as  it  is  by  ties  of  interest,  of  affinity,  of 
association,  may  continue  to  be  so  bound  forever.  Those  ties  can 
never  be  broken  until  that  thing  shall  happen,  ■which  I  trust  will 
never  happen,  under  God’s  blessing,  until  the  Constitution  of  the 
country  shall  prove  a  curse  to  it.  [Prolonged  applause.]  Never! 
Never!  Never! 

Why,  what  is  it  that  supports  all  these  interests  ?  What  is  it  ? 
Here  is  a  mass  of  commerce.  Who  protects  it  ?  Here  is  a  vast 
interest  in  manufactures.  What  protects  it  ?  Here  is  a  coasting 
trade  running  from  Newburyport  round  to  California.  Who  pro¬ 
tects  it  ?  What  laws  ?  What  government  ?  In  short,  wherever 
we  turn  our  eyes,  we  see  that  this  State  is  not  only  an  agricultu¬ 
ral  State,  but  a  commercial  State,  a  manufacturing  State,  a  State 
mixed  up  with  all  the  interests  that  belong  to  society ;  and  be¬ 
yond  all  these  visible  and  demonstrable  interests,  there  are  a  vast 
many  Yankee  notions  besides ;  with  all  these  we  live  under  the 
laws  of  the  general  government,  and  should  perish  if  those  laws 
were  abrogated.  [Applause.] 

Sir,  you  have  alluded  to  the  period  in  which  I  have  passed 
some  part  of  my  life  in  the  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the 
country.  The  years  of  human  life  wear  away,  Sir.  I  shall  per¬ 
form  such  services  for  no  such  other  length  of  time.  But  with 
every  increasing  year,  and  day,  and  hour,  the  more  I  contemplate 
the  history  of  this  country,  the  great  destiny  of  this  country,  the 
more  I  see  it  and  behold  it,  as  stretching  from  sea  to  sea,  and 
from  the  rivers  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  the  more  I  see  it  exhibit 
the  American  genius  at  home  and  abroad,  the  more  I  see  what 
exhibitions  of  skill  have  astonished  Europe  in  this  our  day,  and  in 
this  our  summer,  the  more  I  am  surprised  and  gratified.  Why, 
Sir,  the  bitterest,  ablest,  and  most  anti-American  press  in  all  Eu¬ 
rope,  within  a  fortnight,  has  staled  that,  “in  every  thing  valuable, 
in  every  thing  that  is  for  human  improvement,  exhibited  at  the 
World’s  Fair,  the  United  States  go  so  far  ahead  of  every  body 
else  as  to  leave  nobody  else  in  sight.”  It  is  like  the  position  of 
Jove  among  the  gods.  Jove  is  first  and  there  is  none  second. 
And  in  another  paper,  of  much  influence  in  the  councils  of  Great 
Britain,  the  editor  says,  “  The  time  is  coming  ”  (he  might  almost 
have  said,  “  and  now  is,”)  “  when  America  shall  command  the 
ocean,  and  both  oceans,  and  all  oceans.”  This  results  partly  from 
the  skill  of  individuals,  partly  from  the  untiring  ingenuity  of  the 
people,  and  partly  from  those  great  events  which  have  given  us  the 
ocean  of  one  world  on  one  side,  and  the  ocean  of  the  other  world 
on  the  other.  They  appear  to  have  filled  the  minds  of  men  with 
astonishment.  It  has  brought  to  my  mind  an  incident  in  the  life 
of  an  eminent  Bostonian,  not  now  living,  Mr.  John  Lowell.  He 
was  an  ardent  admirer  of  the  achievements  of  the  American 


iD 

Navy,  and  perfectly  enthusiastic  in  regard  to  the  extent  to  which 
the  naval  power  of  the  United  States  might  be  carried.  After 
the  war  of  1812  he  was  in  England,  and,  dining  with  some  friends, 
he  gave  utterance,  in  a  playful  manner,  to  his  high  and  almost  un¬ 
bounded  hopes  and  expectations  on  this  point.  One  of  the  gentle¬ 
men  said,  u  Well,  Mr.  Lowell,  your  country  may,  for  aught  I  know, 
reach  that  height  of  elevation  which  you  predict,  but  I  trust  we 
Europeans  may  yet  be  able  to  cross  the  seas.”  “  Certainly,” 
replied  Mr.  Lowell,  with  such  promptitude  and  facetiousness  of 
manner  as  to  set  the  table  in  a  good  tempered  roar,  “  certainly, 
Sir,  certainly,  but  do  not  wonder  if  some  day  you  shall  hear  us 
say,  ‘  by  our  leave,  Gentlemen.’  ”  [Applause.] 

May  it  please  your  Excellency,  I  hope  that  all  health,  happi¬ 
ness  and  prosperity  will  attend  you  henceforward  through  life. 
[Enthusiastic  cheers.] 

The  Hon.  C.  T.  Russell  then  presented  to  the  Governor  the 
Hon.  Alexander  H.  H.  Stuart,  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 
who  was  warmly  received,  and  made  the  following  remarks : 

May  it  please  your  Excellency, — 

The  very  complimentary  manner  in  which  you  have  been  pleased 
to  allude  to  my  friend  on  my  left  (Mr.  Conrad)  and  myself,  seems 
to  demand  at  our  hands  a  word  of  response  and  of  thanks.  I 
tender  to  you,  Sir,  my  most  cordial  acknowledgments  for  the  wel¬ 
come  you  have  given  us.  This,  Sir,  is  the  first  time  that  my  foot 
has  ever  rested  on  the  soil  of  New  England.  [Hear,  hear.]  But 
I  trust,  Sir,  it  will  not  be  the  last.  [Applause.] 

I  have  seen  to-day  many  things  to  admire,  and  which  have 
afforded  me  instruction.  I  have  seen  the  network  of  railroads  to*, 
which  you  have  alluded,  which  are  now  penetrating  to  the  re^ 
motest  parts  of  our  country.  I  have  seen,  as  I  traversed  your 
territory,  the  hardy  yeomanry  of  your  Commonwealth.  And 
here,  Sir,  permit  me  to  say  that,  in  all  my  travels  throughout  this 
wide  confederacy,  I  have  never  yet  seen  the  same  evidences  of 
intelligence,  of  industry,  of  prosperity,  and  of  every  thing  that 
renders  the  condition  of  man  delightful  in  this  life.  [Applause.] 

I  have  seen  bands  of  children  lining  our  way  for  miles,  who 
had  come  from  your  glorious  common  schools  to  tender  their  wel¬ 
come  to  the  President  of  the  United  States.  [Cheers.]  I  felt, 
Sir,  that  it  was  well  that  they  should  be  there.  I  felt  that  they 
would  learn  lessons  of  national  patriotism,  and  have  them  deeply 
implanted  in  their  hearts.  [Renewed  cheers.]  I  felt  that  the  very 
fact  that  they  looked  upon — not  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  Massa¬ 
chusetts, — but,  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  this  broad  confeder¬ 
acy,  extending  across  this  wide  continent,  would  teach  them  to 


76 


raise  their  eyes  above  the  horizon  of  Massachusetts,  so  as  to  take 
in  the  interests,  and  the  honor,  and  the  glory  of  this  whole  Re¬ 
public.  [Cheers.] 

Sir,  my  friend  on  my  right  [Mr.  Webster]'  told  us  just  now, 
that  this  was  not  a  day  devoted  to  him ;  that  it  was  devoted  to 
the  strangers.  Sir,  if  he  intended  to  allude  to  me  as  one  of  the 
strangers ,  I  deny  the  application  of  the  term.  [Applause.]  Sir, 
it  is  true  that  I  never  before  stood  upon  the  soil  of  Massachusetts  ! 
But,  Sir,  can  Virginia  be  a  stranger  to  Massachusetts  ?  [Enthu¬ 
siastic  applause.]  No,  Sir  !  I  feel  that,  as  a  Virginian,  as  a  son 
of  that  glorious  old  Commonwealth  which  stood  side  by  side  with 
Massachusetts  in  the  darkest  hour  of  the  Revolution,  I  am  no 
stranger  within  her  borders.  [Loud  cheers.] 

Sir,  when  I  saw  the  evidences,  to  which  I  have  alluded,  of  your 
prosperity  and  of  your  advancement  in  every  thing  that  promotes 
national  happiness,  I  felt  not  one  sentiment  of  envy.  No,  Sir ! 
I  felt  that  while  all  these  things  belonged  to  Massachusetts,  they 
belonged  also  to  the  Union — they  belonged  also  to  me  !  [Sensa¬ 
tion.]  Sir,  I  shall  go  back  to  Virginia,  as  I  said  before,  instruct¬ 
ed.  I  shall  be  able  to  teach  my  venerated  old  mother  some  few 
lessons  of  the  modern  mode  of  growing  into  prosperity.  I  trust 
that  the  few  hours  I  have  spent  here  have  not  been  uselessly 
spent.  But  1  must  acknowledge  that  I  have  felt  something  like 
humiliation  when  I  contrasted  the  condition  of  my  own  Common¬ 
wealth  with  that  of  Massachusetts.  She  has  a  climate  and  a  soil 
superior  to  yours.  She  has  a  population  in  many  of  their  traits 
your  equals.  [Applause.]  But  she  has  not  understood  the  true 
principles  of  practical  economy-  You  have  taught  her  a  lesson. 
I  will  be  the  bearer  of  it  to  her  when  I  return  to  my  home. 
[Cheers.] 

But  while  I  acknowledge  our  inferiority  to  your  noble  State  in 
many  things,  there  are  others  in  which  I  feel  that  she  is  at  least 
your  equal.  If  you  have  your  Bunker  Hill,  we  have  our  Yorktown ! 
[Loud  applause.]  If  you  have  had  your  Hancock  and  Adamses, 
we  have  had  our  Jefferson  and  Madison.  [Increased  applause.] 
If  you  have  had  your  Daniel  Webster,  [reiterated  applause]  we 
have  had  our  Patrick  Henry.  [Stunning  cheers.]  And  tower¬ 
ing  high  above  them  all  we  have  had  our  and  your  Washington  ! 
[Irrepressible  enthusiasm.] 

Sir,  there  is  one  other  thing  in  which  I  will  not  yield  the  palm 
even  to  Massachusetts.  In  loyalty,  in  true  devotion  to  the  Con¬ 
stitution  and  to  the  Union,  you  may  rely  upon  it,  Virginia  has  no 
superior.  [Hear,  hear.]  She  will  stand  by  them  to  the  last 
hour  of  her  existence.  She  will  neither  repudiate  the  guarantees 
of  the  Constitution,  nor  will  she  do  aught  that  can  tend  to  weaken 
the  bonds  of  our  glorious  confederacy.  [Cheers.] 


Pardon  me,  Sir,  for  having  detained  you  so  long,  and  accept  the 
sincere  expression  of  my  thanks.  [Prolonged  applause.] 

The  Hon.  Charles  M.  Conrad,  the  Secretary  of  War,  was 
then  presented  to  His  Excellency,  by  J.  T.  Stevenson,  Esq., 
and  spoke  as  follows  : — 

Mr.  Governor  : — 

Although  the  remarks  of  my  friends  and  fellow-laborers,  who 
have  just  addressed  you,  might  seem  to  render  it  superfluous,  I 
cannot,  nevertheless,  resist  the  temptation  to  offer  also  the  feeble 
expression  of  my  thanks  and  my  acknowledgments  for  the  cor¬ 
dial  greeting  which  I  have  received  from  you,  and  from  the  citi¬ 
zens  of  the  State  of  which  you  are  the  organ,  from  the  moment 
we  entered  its  borders.  I  need  not  assure  your  Excellency,  that 
I  have  not  the  vanity  to  impute  this  warm,  and,  I  might  almost 
say,  this  enthusiastic  greeting  at  your  hands,  to  any  personal 
merits  of  my  own.  Associated,  as  I  am,  in  the  Cabinet  with  men 
far  abler  and  far  older  than  myself,  having  at  its  head  your  illus¬ 
trious  fellow-citizen,  [turning  towards  the  Hon.  Daniel  Webster,] 
a  man  who  combines  the  logic  of  Aristotle  with  the  eloquence  of 
Tully,  I  feel  that,  while  I  am  ready  to  take  my  full  share  of  all 
the  responsibility  that  may  attach  to  the  station  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  occupy,  I  can  claim  but  a  very  small  portion  of  any  merit 
that  may  belong  to  it.  But,  Sir,  I  view  these  manifestations 
simply  as  demonstrations  of  respect  for  the  office  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  hold.  Viewed  in  that  light,  viewed  as  indications  of  the 
attachment  of  the  people  of  this  great  Commonwealth  to  the  Union, 
and  to  the  institutions  of  the  country,  I  assure  you  most  sincerely 
that  they  are  far,  very  far  more  gratifying  to  me  than  viewed  as 
manifestations  of  any  personal  regard  to  myself,  however  pleasing 
that  might  be.  [Applause.] 

Mr.  Governor, — My  friend  who  has  just  addressed  you,  dis¬ 
claimed  for  himself  the  title  of  a  “  stranger.’’  I  think  I  may  with 
equal  right  disclaim  that  title.  [Applause.]  I  have  not,  it  is 
true,  the  honor  of  coming  from  a  State,  which,  like  Virginia,  has 
been  a  partner  with  Massachusetts  in  the  perils  and  dangers  of 
the  Revolution.  But,  Sir,  I  come  from  a  State,  which  counts, 
among  her  best  and  most  virtuous  and  enlightened  citizens,  many 
■who  came  from  both  of  those  States.  I  think,  Sir,  that  a  citizen 
of  New  Orleans  may  well  claim  some  acquaintance  with  the  citi¬ 
zens  of  Boston.  Connected,  as  we  are,  by  ties,  not  only  of  common 
kindred,  but  by  the  social  intercourse  and  commercial  relations 
that  bind  us  dafily  more  and  more  closely  together,  I  cannot  feel, 
when  I  tread  the  soil  of  Boston,  that  I  am  on  the  soil  of  a  foreign 


land.  [Cheers.]  Neither  is  this  my  first  visit  to  your  City  or  to 
your  State.  I  have  heretofore,  on  one  or  two  occasions,  as  a 
private  individual,  enjoyed  the  hospitalities  of  your  citizens ;  and  I 
assure  you  that  every  visit,  that  I  make  to  your  State  and  to  its 
beautiful  capital,  is  a  source  of  new  pleasure  and  satisfaction.  At 
every  new  visit  that  I  make  to  both,  I  perceive  new  evidences  of 
that  industry,  that  enterprise,  that  public  spirit  and  that  philan¬ 
thropy,  which  may  be  said  to  be  their  prominent  characteristics, 
and,  I  am  happy  to  add,  new  indications  of  their  continued  and 
increasing  prosperity. 

I  need  not  say  to  the  citizens  of  Massachusetts,  and  above  all, 
Mr.  Governor,  I  need  not  say  to  you,  and  to  the  enlightened  audi¬ 
ence  which  I  now  have  the  honor  to  address,  how  much  of  this 
prosperity  is  due  to  the  preservation  of  that  Union  which  the  Com¬ 
monwealth  of  Massachusetts  contributed  so  powerfully  to  establish, 
and  which  I  am  sure  she  will  also,  at  all  times,  be  ready,  as  pow¬ 
erfully  to  assist  in  maintaining.  [Applause.]  All  that  I  can  now 
do,  Mr.  Governor,  is  to  express,  as  I  do,  the  sincere  wish  that  this 
prosperity  may  continue  as  long  as  the  Union  continues,  and  that 
both  may  be  perpetual.  [Applause.] 


As  soon  as  Mr.  Conrad  had  concluded,  the  Hon.  C.  T.  Rus¬ 
sell  announced  that,  in  consequence  of  the  proposed  review  of 
the  military  upon  the  Common,  the  President  would  be 
obliged  to  forego  the  pleasure  of  a  personal  introduction  to 
the  assembly. 

The  ceremony  of  reception  at  the  State  House  having  thus 
terminated,  the  President,  accompanied  by  Governor  Boutwell 
and  his  Staff,  consisting  of  Adjutant  General  Stone,  and  Lieut. 
Colonels  Heard,  Chapman,  Williams  and  Needham,  and  by 
General  John  S.  Tyler,  Chief  Marshal,  and  the  other  Marshals 
of  the  day,  and  escorted  by  the  Battalion  of  Cadets,  proceeded 
thence  to  the  Common,  at  the  foot  of  which,  on  the  Parade 
Ground,  the  troops  were  already  drawn  up  in  line  awaiting  his 
arrival.  As  he  passed  down  Beacon  street,  and  through  the 
gate  at  the  corner  of  Charles  street,  discharges  of  cannon  an¬ 
nounced  his  approach,  and,  in  a  few  moments  after  his  arrival, 
leaving  his  escort,  and  followed  only  by  the  Governor  and 
Staff,  and  the  mounted  Marshals,  he  appeared  in  front  of  the 
line,  mounted  upon  a  superb  black  charger,  which  he  managed 
with  graceful  ease,  at  the  same  time,  as  he  passed  along, 


79 


acknowledging  the  hearty  salutations  which  burst  from 
the  excited  thousands  who  thickly  crowned  all  the  rising 
grounds  that  almost  encircle  the  field.  Having  reached  a 
position  nearly  opposite  the  centre  of  the  line,  he  was  saluted 
by  the  General  in  Command,  accompanied  by  whom  and 
Staff,  he  rode  along  the  whole  front, — saluted  by  each  regi¬ 
ment  as  he  passed, — and  returned  by  the  rear  to  the  same 
position.  The  line  now  broke  into  column,  and,  preceded 
by  the  Lancers,  marched  in  review  before  the  President, 
and  after  passing  around  the  entire  parade  ground,  formed 
into  line  again  as  before  ;  each  regiment  occupying  the  same 
relative  position  as  in  the  procession  of  the  morning. 

The  President,  with  the  Governor  and  Staff,  now  retired 
from  the  field,  and  was  escorted  to  his  quarters  at  the  Revere 
House  ;  and  the  troops  were  dismissed,  after  having  received 
the  thanks  of  General  Edmands  for  the  manner  in  which 
they  had  discharged  the  duties  of  the  day. 

Besides  the  President,  and  the  Governor  and  Staff,  a  large 
number  of  distinguished  persons  were  on  the  field  at  the  time 
of  the  review,  many  of  whom,  including  several  officers  of 
the  British  army,  were  in  uniform.  The  authorities  of  the 
City  were  also  present,  together  with  several  officers  of  the 
Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States. 

The  review,  to  which  the  beauty  of  the  weather  gave 
additional  effect,  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  finest  military 
exhibitions  ever  witnessed  in  this  part  of  the  country.  In 
fact  the  appearance  of  the  troops,  throughout  the  day,  was 
in  the  highest  degree  creditable  to  them.  The  British  officers 
expressed  themselves  in  terms  of  generous  admiration  of  our 
citizen  soldiers,  and  the  President  said  that  the  military  dis¬ 
play  was  the  finest  he  had  ever  witnessed. 

The  festivities  of  the  day  were  brought  to  a  close  by  a 
dinner,  given,  at  the  Revere  House,  by  the  City  Government, 
to  the  President  and  Suite  and  the  distinguished  guests,  from 
the  British  Colonies,  and  from  different  parts  of  our  own  coun¬ 
try.  At  half  past  eight  o’clock  in  the  evening,  the  company 
took  their  seats  at  the  tables  in  the  main  dining  hall,  which 


80 


was  tastefully  decorated  in  honor  of  the  occasion.  The  din¬ 
ner  was  sumptuous  and  elegantly  served. 

Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow  presided.  Upon  his  right  sat  the  Presi¬ 
dent  of  the  United  States,  and  on  his  left,  the  Governor  of  the 
Commonwealth.  Sir  Allan  McNab  and  the  other  distin¬ 
guished  men,  civil  and  military,  from  Canada,  occupied  seats 
at  the  central  table,  while  the  other  guests,  representing  the 
two  countries,  were  seated  at  the  side  tables. 

The  President,  in  consequence  of  great  fatigue,  left  the  hall 
at  an  early  hour,  accompanied  by  the  Mayor,  at  whose  request, 
Mr.  Alderman  Rogers  then  took  the  Chair.  His  appropri¬ 
ate  address,  upon  assuming  it,  was  followed  by  others  from 
the  Hon.  Francis  Hincks,  the  Prime  Minister  of  the  Governor 
General  of  Canada,  Gen.  Edmands  of  Boston,  Col.  Horne,  the 
senior  British  officer  present,  the  Hon.  Benjamin  Seaver,  Sir 
Allan  McNab,  the  Hon.  Joseph  Howe,  Provincial  Secretary  of 
Nova  Scotia,  Ex-Gov.  Paine  of  Vermont,  John  P.  Putnam, 
Esq.,  of  Boston,  Mr.  Justice  Alwyn,  of  Canada  East,  Col.  Ezra 
Lincoln,  the  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  and  Col.  Wm.  Schouler, 
of  Boston,  Gen.  Leslie  Coombs,  of  Kentucky,  the  Hon.  Henry 
Wilson,  and  the  Hon.  W.  B.  Lawrence,  Acting  Governor  of 
Rhode  Island. 

These  festivities  closed,  at  about  eleven  o’clock,  with  nine 
cheers  for  Her  Majesty,  Queen  Victoria,  and  nine  more  for 
the  President  of  the  United  States. 

During  the  whole  day,  which  had  now  so  agreeably  come 
to  an  end,  the  streets  of  the  city  were  thronged  with  hilarious, 
yet  well-conducted  crowds,  and  each  train  of  cars  arriving 
brought  large  and  welcome  additions  to  the  already  great 
number  of  strangers  within  our  gates.  Among  the  new 
comers,  was  His  Honor,  John  G.  Bowes,  the  Mayor  of 
Toronto,  accompanied  by  several  Aldermen,  members  of  the 
Council,  and  others  of  the  principal  officers  of  that  city. 

No  accident  or  disorder  occurrred  to  disturb  the  general 
harmony  and  joy  ;  the  anticipations  of  the  day  were  fully  real¬ 
ized,  and  its  observances  left  on  the  minds  of  all,  who  shared 
in  or  witnessed  them,  impressions  simply  delightful. 


81 


SECOND  DAY. 

The  distinguishing  features  of  the  Second  Day  of  the  Ju¬ 
bilee,  Thursday,  September  18,  were  the  Excursion  down  the 
Harbor  of  Boston  j  the  arrival  and  reception  of  Lord  Elgin, 
the  Governor  General  of  British  North  America,  and  his 
Suite  ;  and  the  Levees  given  in  the  evening  at  private  resi¬ 
dences  and  other  places  in  honor  of  the  distinguished  guests 
of  the  City. 

A  serene  and  cloudless  sky  continued  to  smile  upon  the 
festivities,  while  the  summer  blandness  of  the  air  drew  forth 
into  the  streets  still  greater  crowds  than  those  which  had 
constituted  so  striking  a  feature  of  the  day  preceding,  and 
additional  banners  and  other  tasteful  and  showy  embellish¬ 
ments  lent  their  gaiety  to  the  scene. 

The  water-side,  near  the  spot  where  the  parties  embarked 
on  board  the  steamboats  for  the  excursion  down  the  harbor, 
presented  a  most  enlivening  sight.  The  wharves  and  the 
vessels  and  their  rigging  were  covered  with  a  dense  mass  of 
spectators.  The  ships  were  decked  in  their  gayest  apparel, 
and  hundreds  of  masts,  flinging  to  the  breeze  their  ensigns 
and  streamers,  gave  a  vivid  idea  of  that  extensive  commerce 
whose  interests  are  so  intimately  connected  with  the  event 
over  which  all  were  rejoicing.  The  wide  expanse  of  the 
harbor,  with  the  multitudes  of  small  craft  upon  its  heaving 
bosom,  the  clear  blue  sky  and  the  bright  sun  over  head,  giv¬ 
ing  life  and  splendor  to  all,  made  up  a  picture  which  has  not 
been  surpassed  in  its  characteristic  features  by  anything  of 
the  kind  among  us. 

At  an  early  hour  the  guests  invited  to  the  excursion  began 

to  move  toward  the  T  wharf,  the  place  of  embarkation,  and 

until  half-past  ten,  the  time  of  starting,  the  avenues  leading 

11 


82 


in  that  direction  were  thronged.  The  steamers  engaged  for 
the  excursion  were  the  S.  S.  Lewis,  (which  was  kindly 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  City  Government  for  this  occa¬ 
sion  by  her  owners,)  the  Benjamin  Franklin,  the  St.  Law¬ 
rence,  the  Mayflower,  the  Naushon,  and  the  John  Taylor. 
To  these  were  added  the  revenue  cutters  Hamilton  and 
Morris. 

The  arrival  of  the  steamer  S.  S.  Lewis  had  been  anxiously 
looked  for,  for  several  days,  and  the  announcement  that  she 
had  come  to  anchor  off  East  Boston  in  the  morning,  and  would 
be  in  readiness  to  perform  the  part  assigned  her  in  the  excur¬ 
sion,  was  highly  gratifying  to  all.  She  arrived  below  in  the 
night,  having  made  the  passage  from  the  Delaware  Break¬ 
water  in  forty-seven  hours,  running  time. 

The  number  of  guests  invited,  and  nearly  all  of  whom 
embarked  on  board  these  several  vessels,  was  between  three 
and  four  thousand,  distributed  nearly  as  follows,  viz. : 


In  the  S.  S.  Lewis,  Capt.  Cole,  -  200 

“  “  Benjamin  Franklin,  Capt.  Sears,  -  -  500 

“  “  St.  Lawrence,  Capt.  Cyrus  Sturtivant,  -  800 

“  11  Mayflower,  Capt.  Elijah  Beal,  -  -  800 

“  “  Naushon,  Capt.  H.  W.  Freeman,  -  -  500 

“  “  John  Taylor,  -  200 

“  “  Morris,  Capt.  Walden,  -  150 

“  “  Hamilton,  Lieut.  Burroughs,  -  -  150 


These  figures  indicate  the  number  of  tickets  originally 
issued  for  the  excursion.  Before  the  party  left  the  wharf, 
however,  the  number  was  probably  swelled  to  3500  or  4000. 

By  about  half-past  ten  o’clock,  the  several  boats,  with  the 
exception  of  the  S.  S.  Lewis,  having  each  received  on  board 
the  guests  assigned  to  them,  moved  from  their  moorings  into 
the  open  harbor  to  await  the  arrival  and  embarkation  of  the 
President  at  East  Boston,  at  the  terminus  of  the  Grand  Junc¬ 
tion  Railroad,  for  the  formal  opening  of  which  road  on  this 
day,  in  the  presence  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Nation, 
appropriate  preparations  had  been  made. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  larger  portion  of  the  party  which 
was  to  embark  on  board  the  S.  S.  Lewis  had  assembled  at 


r 


83 

the  Mayor  and  Aldermen’s  room,  in  the  City  Hall.  At  a 
quarter  before  ten  o’clock,  his  Honor  the  Mayor,— -escorted  by 
Mr.  City  Marshal  Francis  Tukey  and  his  Aids,  all  mounted, — 
proceeded,  in  a  barouche,  from  the  City  Hall  to  the  Revere 
House,  and  there  received  the  President  and  Messrs.  Conrad 
and  Stewart.  Francis  Brinley,  Esq.,  in  another  barouche, 
received  the  Hon.  Mr.  Crampton,  Charge  d’Affaires  of  Great 
Britain  at  Washington,  and  the  Hon.  Francis  Hincks  and 
the  Hon.  William  Young,  of  Canada.  Other  carriages,  con¬ 
taining  Governor  Boutwell  and  Suite,  Mr.  Marshal  Devens, 
and  distinguished  visitors  from  the  Canadas,  followed,  and  all 
successively  proceeded  to  the  depot  of  the  Boston  and  Maine 
Railroad.  The  remainder  of  the  party,  destined  for  the  S.  S. 
Lewis,  took  carriages  at  the  City  Hall  and  proceeded  directly 
to  the  depot,  accompanied  by  members  of  the  Board  of  Aider- 
men  and  Common  Council.  A  train  of  five  long  cars,  drawn 
by  the  engine  u  Essex,”  and  handsomely  decorated  for  the 
occasion,  was  in  readiness  to  receive  the  party  on  its  arrival. 

As  soon  as  all  were  seated  and  everything  ready,  the 
word  was  given,  and  amid  the  cheering  of  the  crowd  the 
cars  started  for  East  Boston,  via  the  Grand  Junction  Railroad. 
The  train  left  the  depot  at  five  minutes  past  eleven  o’clock, 
and  arrived  on  the  depot  grounds  of  the  company  at  twenty- 
five  minutes  past  eleven.  Upon  the  entrance  of  the  cars 
on  the  track  of  the  new  road,  the  party  was  greeted  by  a 
grand  salute,  fired  by  the  citizens  of  Malden,  and,  when  the 
train  crossed  the  line  between  Chelsea  and  East  Boston,  two 
cannons  pealed  forth  their  thunder  tones  in  quick  succession. 
Just  upon  the  line  across  the  track  was  erected  a  handsome 
arch,  decorated  with  evergreens  and  flowers,  and  bearing  on 
the  front  the  inscription, — 

Boston  and  the  Canadas,  united  by  bonds  of  Iron. 

And  on  the  reverse, — 

“  Union  is  Strength.” 

At  the  head  of  the  pier,  upon  which  the  train  stopped,  was 
a  similar  arch,  bearing  the  following  inscription  : 

Grand  Junction  Railroad,  Unite  all,  Serve  all. 


84 


And  on  the  reverse, — 

Liverpool,  Boston,  and  the  Canadas. 

The  arches  were  got  up  in  good  taste,  and  added  greatly 
to  the  still  life  of  the  picture. 

As  the  train  reached  the  pier, — the  terminus  of  the  road, — 
a  national  salute  was  fired  from  the  wharf  of  the  Cunard 
Steamship  Company.  From  the  cars  the  party  proceeded  to 
the  new  ferry-boat  of  the  Eastern  Railroad  Company,  on  the 
deck  of  which  was  stationed  the  Boston  Brass  Band,  playing 
the  tune,  11  Hail  Columbia,”  and,  amidst  the  roar  of  artillery 
and  the  cheers  of  the  rejoicing  multitudes  lining  not  only  the 
wharves,  on  the  East  Boston  side,  but  all  the  wharves  and 
the  shipping  in  Boston  proper  from  which  a  view  of  the  en¬ 
livening  scene  could  be  obtained,  the  President  and  those 
who  accompanied  him,  were  conveyed  on  board  the  S.  S. 
Lewis,  which,  bearing  the  English  flag  at  her  fore,  and  the 
Union  Jack  at  her  mast-head,  and  with  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
floating  from  her  mizen,  was  impatiently  riding  at  anchor  in 
the  stream. 

The  party  was  soon  transferred  to  her  decks,  the  anchor 
was  hove  up,  and  the  noble  ship  moved  majestically  down  the 
harbor,  preceded  by  the  cutters  “Hamilton”  and  “Morris” 
as  her  escort,  and  followed  by  the  Benjamin  Franklin,  the 
St.  Lawrence,  and  the  other  boats  in  succession. 

As  the  cutters,  towed,  one  on  each  side,  by  the  John  Tay¬ 
lor,  passed  by  the  President’s  ship  to  take  their  places  in  the 
van,  they  fired  a  national  salute  of  twenty-one  guns. 

And  now  the  whole  pageant  was  moving  gracefully  and 
gaily  down  the  animated  harbor,  whose  waters,  hardly  ruffled 
by  the  soft  air,  were  glittering  in  the  sun,  and  on  either  shore 
the  thousands  of  delighted  spectators  were  giving  vent  to 
their  enthusiasm  in  oft  repeated  cheers  which,  mingled  with 
the  gladsome  roar  of  artillery,  added  the  last  and  perhaps 
not  the  least  effective  element  to  the  sympathetic  enthusiasm 
of  the  hour. 

The  President  was  accompanied  on  board  the  steamer  by 
the  gentlemen  who  came  with  him  from  Washington.  Gov- 


85 


ernor  Bout  well  was  attended  by  his  Aids,  Lt.  Cols.  Chapman, 
Williams  and  Needham,  and  also  by  Adjutant  General  Stone. 
The  Mayor  did  not  go  on  board  the  ship,  but  returned  to  the 
city  proper,  to  be  in  readiness  to  attend  to  other  guests  who 
were,  expected  in  the  course  of  the  day. 

Among  the  other  distinguished  strangers  on  board  the  S.  S. 
Lewis,  were  the  Hon.  Mr.  Crampton,  the  Hon.  Francis 
Hincks,  the  Hon.  Joseph  Howe,  the  Hon.  William  Young, 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Assembly  of  Nova  Scotia;  Col. 
Gugy,  of  Montreal,  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Parliament  ; 
Col.  Horne,  Capt.  Nye,  20th  Reg.,  Capt.  Stevens,  R.  N., 
Lieut.  Butler  and  Mr.  Parkinson,  of  the  20th  Regiment,  R.  A.  ; 
Capt.  Keene  and  Lieut.  Noble,  from  Toronto,  of  the  Royal 
Corps  of  Engineers;  Capt.  Sweedenham,  and  Mr.  Thompson, 
of  the  54th  Regiment ;  and  Mr.  Hughes,  of  the  Quartermas¬ 
ter’s  Department,  from  Quebec. 

Commodore  Downes,  the  commanding  officer  at  the 
Charlestown  Navy  Yard,  the  venerable  Capt.  Percival,  of  the 
U.  S.  Navy,  Capt.  Tucker,  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  the  Hon. 
Amasa  Walker,  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth ;  the  Hon. 
John  H.  Clifford,  Attorney  General ;  ex-Lieutenant-Governor 
Reed  ;  Lieutenant  Governor  Cushman — all  the  Governor’s 
Council  but  one  ;  Richard  Frcfthingham,  Jr.  Esq.,  the  Mayor 
of  Charlestown  ;  Judge  Phelps,  of  Vermont,  ex-Senator 
of  the  United  States  ;  many  members  of  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives  of  Massachusetts  ;  members  of  the 
City  Government,  and  persons  occupying  various  official  sta¬ 
tions,  were  also  of  the  President’s  party,  participating  in,  and 
contributing  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  occasion. 

Among  the  guests  on  board  the  propeller  Benjamin  Frank¬ 
lin  were  the  Hon.  N.  F.  Belleau,  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Quebec, 
Messrs.  Councillors  Paradis,  Lepper,  Dorval  and  Lampson,  the 
Sheriff,  W.  S.  Sewell,  Esq.,  and  the  Clerk  of  that  city,  F.  X. 
Garneau,  Esq.,  Capt.  Alleyne,  of  the  Royal  Navy,  Messrs. 
Dunn,  Pemberton,  and  Patterson,  eminent  merchants,  and 
Joseph  Hamel,  Esq.,  Surveyor,  of  the  same  city ;  the  Hon. 
Messrs.  Scott,  Robinson  and  Holmes,  of  the  Provincial  Par¬ 
liament,  and  the  Hon.  Judge  Mondelet,  and  Messrs.  Larkin, 


86 


Molson,  and  Townsend,  of  Montreal.  The  Authorities  of  the 
Commonwealth  and  of  the  City  of  Boston  were  represented 
by  the  Hon.  Henry  Wilson,  the  Hon.  Charles  Hudson,  Sur¬ 
veyor  of  the  Port,  and  Col.  Ezra  Lincoln  and  Benjamin 
Beal,  Esq.,  of  the  City  Council.  The  Hon.  Isaac  Livermore, 
of  Cambridge  ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beecher,  and  his  son,  the  Rev. 
Edward  Beecher ;  the  Hon.  Leslie  Coombs,  of  Kentucky ; 
the  Hon.  Mr.  Clark,  member  of  Congress,  from  New  York, 
and  many  other  distinguished  gentlemen,  were  also  present. 

On  board  the  St.  Lawrence  were  John  G.  Bowes,  Esq., 
Mayor  of  Toronto,  Dr.  Nelson,  of  Montreal,  and  many  other 
Canadian  gentlemen,  whose  names  cannot  now  be  ascer¬ 
tained  ;  Daniel  N.  Haskell,  Esq.,  of  the  City  Council,  several 
members  of  the  School  Board,  and  other  distinguished  citi¬ 
zens  and  strangers. 

Among  the  guests  and  persons  of  distinction  on  board  the 
Mayflower,  were  Sir  Allan  N.  McNab,  the  Hon.  R.  Matheson, 
of  Perth,  Canada  West ;  the  Rev.  J.  Jenkins,  of  Montreal  ; 
J.  J.  Burrowes,  Esq.,  of  Kingston  ;  E.  P.  Campbell,  Esq.,  of 
Argyleshire,  Scotland  ;  John  Counter,  Esq.,  ex-Mayor  of 
Kingston;  Capt.  Gildersleeve,  Charles  Hales,  Esq.,  and  An¬ 
thony  Drummond,  Esq.,  Agent  of  the  Montreal  Bank,  of 
Kingston  ;  and  Mr.  George  Debarats,  of  Montreal,  Queen’s 
Printer.  From  St.  Catharine,  Canada  West,  Rev.  R.  Shank- 
lin,  Thomas  Colton,  Esq.,  George  Kent,  Esq.,  Mr.  Thomas 
Burns,  Messrs.  Thomas  R.  and  William  H.  Merritt,  Mr.  Wil¬ 
liam  A.  Chisholm,  and  Mr.  Andrew  Horton.  From  Toronto — 
George  A.  Philpotts,  Esq.,  George  B.  Wells,  Esq.,  and  George 
Beatty,  Esq.,  of  the  Council.  From  Hamilton — Messrs.  John 
O.  Hatt,  Thomas  Davidson,  E.  B.  Freeman,  and  E.  W. 
Brown  ;  and  the  Hon.  J.  C.  Park,  of  this  city ;  Col.  J.  D. 
Greene,  and  Staff,  of  the  4th  Regiment,  Massachusetts  Infan¬ 
try  ;  Lt.  Col.  Boyd,  of  the  1st,  and  Lt.  Col.  Abbott,  of  the 
third. 

The  staunch  little  steamer  Naushon  had  on  board  her  full 
share  of  distinguished  guests,  whose  names,  however,  have 
not  been  reported. 

The  parties  on  board  the  cutters  Morris  and  Hamilton,  and 


87 


the  steamer  John  Taylor,  which,  as  the  vessels  were  united 
together,  formed  in  reality  but  one,  included  a  large  number 
of  guests  from  Halifax,  Montreal,  Toronto,  and  other  places 
in  Canada,  and  from  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  Among 
them  were  Mr.  Sheriff  Boston,  of  Montreal,  Mr.  D.  W.  Gilki- 
son,  of  Brantford,  Ca.  ;  Col.  Crittenden,  of  the  U.  S.  Army ; 
Judge  Rice,  of  the  District  of  Augusta,  Me. ;  Col.  Cowdin,  of 
the  Regiment  of  Artillery  ;  Lieut.  Hedden,  of  the  New  York 
City  Guards j  and  Col.  N.  A.  Thompson,  and  Lieuts.  Pulsifer 
and  French,  of  the  Boston  City  Guards. 

As  the  flotilla  moved  slowly  down  the  harbor,  the  attention 
of  all  on  board  was  attracted  by  the  various  objects  of  inter¬ 
est  with  which  it  abounds. 

On  passing  Fort  Independence,  the  party  on  board  the  S. 
S.  Lewis  was  greeted  with  a  national  salute. 

It  had  been  the  original  intention  to  carry  the  President  as 
far  as  Minot’s  Ledge,  in  order  to  give  him  an  opportunity  to 
witness  the  scene  of  the  late  melancholy  disaster  ;  but  owing 
to  his  other  engagements,  it  became  necessary  to  return  at  an 
earlier  hour,  and  at  a  short  distance  this  side  of  the  lower 
Light  the  Lewis  put  about  to  return.  At  this  moment  the 
other  steamers,  crowded  with  passengers,  passed  close  by  her, 
dipped  their  ensigns,  and  saluted  the  President  with  loud  and 
repeated  cheers,  which  were  returned  with  equal  heartiness 
from  the  Lewis,  and  all  then  came  up  the  harbor. 

During  the  excursion,  the  President,  accompanied  by  Capt. 
Cole,  inspected  every  part  of  the  Lewis,  and  expressed  his 
admiration  of  the  numerous  improvements  which  have  been 
introduced  into  this  model  of  a  vessel.  Every  one  on  board 
was  struck  with  the  facility  and  steadiness  with  which  she 
moved  through  the  water. 

It  is  worthy  of  comment,  and  of  the  highest  praise,  con¬ 
sidering  the  few  hours  her  officers  and  agents  had  had  for 
preparation,  that  every  thing  belonging  to  her  was  in  such 
admirable  order,  and  that  all  the  arrangements  for  the  fete 
were  so  complete  and  satisfactory. 

As  she  drew  near  the  city,  the  company  were  invited  to 
partake  of  an  elegant  banquet  which  had  been  spread  in  the 


88 


spacious  cabin.  Francis  Brinley,  Esq.  presided,  in  the  ab¬ 
sence  of  the  Mayor,  and  announced  the  following  toast, 
which  was  received  with  enthusiasm  : 

tc  The  President  of  the  United  States.” 

As  it  was  understood  that  there  were  to  be  no  speeches  on 
the  occasion,  the  President  only  bowed  in  acknowledgment 
of  the  cheers  given  by  the  company. 

The  Plon.  J.  H.  Clifford,  Attorney  General,  then  gave, — 

“Her  Majesty,  the  Queen.” 

Benjamin  T.  Reed,  Esq.,  proposed  the  health  of — 

“  His  Excellency,  the  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth.” 

The  Hon.  George  Lunt,  United  States  District  Attorney, 
proposed, 

“  The  members  of  the  Cabinet  accompanying  the  President.” 

Each  toast  was  received  with  three  hearty  cheers. 

Immediately  after  dinner,  the  President  and  Suite  landed  at 
the  Navy  Yard,  accompanied  by  Commodore  Downes,  and 
were  received  with  a  national  salute  from  the  heavy  battery  of 
the  yard.  The  corps  of  Marines,  under  Capt.  Pope,  were  drawn 
up  to  receive  him,  and  presented  arms  as  he  passed.  The 
President  and  the  guests,  who  left  the  Lewis  at  Charlestown, 
then  entered  the  carriages  in  attendance,  and,  after  being 
driven  round  Bunker  Hill  Monument  Square,  proceeded  to 
Boston,  and  alighted  at  the  Revere  House.* 

Entertainments  had  been  also  provided  for  the  companies 
on  board  the  other  boats,  to  which  ample  justice  was  done. 
The  crowd  on  board  the  Benjamin  Franklin  was  so  great  that 
anything  in  the  way  of  ceremony  was  impossible,  but  still 
every  one  appeared  to  be  greatly  pleased  with  the  trip. 

In  the  cabin  of  the  St.  Lawrence  a  long  and  well  furnished 
table  was  spread,  to  which  the  strangers  were  first  invited,  as 
the  number  on  board  was  far  too  large  to  be  accommodated 
at  once.  After  the  company  had  again  assembled  on  deck, 
addresses  were  made  by  Mr.  Mayor  Bowes,  of  Toronto,  Dr. 

*  After  the  President  left  them,  the  company  on  board  the  S.  S.  Lewis  again  sat 
down  at  the  dinner  table,  under  the  auspices  of  H.  J.  Gardner,  Esq.,  of  the  Council, 
and  made  and  heard  several  very  eloquent  and  agreeable  speeches,  of  which  it  is 
much  regretted  that  no  report  has  been  preserved. 


89 


Nelson,  of  Canada,  and  Daniel  N.  Haskell,  Esq.,  of  the  City 
Council,  the  last  of  whom,  at  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks, 
introduced  Samuel  A.  Walker,  Esq.,  to  the  company.  Mr. 
Walker  made  a  humorous  and  diverting  speech,  and  sang  an 
amusing  song,  in  which  he  ingeniously  introduced  the  names 
of  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  and  members  of  the  Common 
Council.  On  landing  at  the  wharf,  the  citizens  formed  them¬ 
selves  into  a  procession,  and  escorted  their  guests  to  Court 
square,  where,  after  three  hearty  cheers,  the  party  separated. 

Several  happy  speeches  were  made,  and  patriotic  senti¬ 
ments  offered,  on  board  the  steamer  Mayflower,  and  the  fes¬ 
tivities  were  enlivened  by  the  music  of  McDonald’s  fine 
Cornet  Band.  On  the  return  of  the  party,  the  New  Eng¬ 
landers  escorted  the  Canadians  to  their  hotels,  and,  on  arriv¬ 
ing  at  the  Revere  House,  cheers  were  proposed  and  most 
heartily  given,  for  the  passengers  of  the  Mayflower  in  1620, 
and  the  passengers  of  the  Mayflower  in  1851. 

The  steamer  Naushon,  though  small,  bore  well  her  part  in 
the  maritime  exercises  of  the  day,  and  gave  great  satisfac¬ 
tion  to  all  on  board.  When  nearing  the  wharf,  on  the  return, 
her  passengers  wrote  and  signed  a  complimentary  letter  to 
her  commander,  Capt.  H.  W.  Freeman,  expressing  their  sense 
of  his  courteous  demeanor  during  the  excursion. 

The  Revenue  Cutters,  Morris,  Capt.  Walden,  and  Hamilton, 
Lieut.  Burroughs,  commanding,  were  gaily  and  appropriately 
decorated  with  flags  and  pennants  flying  from  each  mast. 

Upon  the  fore-yards  of  the  Morris,  on  either  side,  were  two 
beautiful  flags  of  the  Spanish  and  Dutch  nations.  At  the 
summit  of  the  mainmast  floated  the  revenue  flag.  Between 
the  mainmast  and  the  foremast,  extending  from  the  top  to  the 
deck,  were  various  signals,  and  the  Stars  and  Stripes  floated 
from  her  gaff.  On  board,  the  company  were  entertained  with 
a  sumptuous  collation  :  sentiments  were  offered,  songs  sung, 
and  the  hilarity  and  mutual  good  feeling  of  all  found,  in  other 
ways,  also,  suitable  expression. 

On  board  the  Hamilton,  speeches  were  made  by  Col. 

Thompson  and  Mr.  Dunham  of  the  Common  Council,  which 

12 


90 


were  very  handsomely  responded  to  by  Mr.  Sheriff  Boston,  of 
Montreal,  and  A.  Gilkison,  Esq.,  of  Brantford,  Canada. 

The  beautiful  and  unique  appearance  of  the  Cutters  as  they 
moved  through  the  waters,  one  on  each  side  of  their  peace¬ 
ful  companion, — half  concealed  by  the  smoke  of  their  own 
cannon,  which  at  short  intervals  pealed  forth  a  gladsome  sa¬ 
lute, — contributed  as  much  to  heighten  the  general  effect  ol  the 
scene,  as  the  courteous  attentions  of  their  commanders  added 
to  the  comfort  and  enjoyment  of  those  who  were  assigned  to 
their  care. 

Thus  terminated  the  aquatic  portion  of  the  pageant,  which, 
for  its  novelty,  the  beautiful  appearance  it  presented,  the  en¬ 
thusiasm  with  which  it  was  entered  into,  and  the  delightful 
feelings,  which  it  gave  to  all  who  participated  in  it,  only 
needed  the  additional  observance,  alluded  to  by  the  Mayor,  of 
dropping  a  “ golden  ring”  into  the  sea,  as  a  token  of  the 
happy  union,  which  had  now  been  consummated  between  the 
waters  of  the  Atlantic  and  the  rivers  and  lakes  of  Canada  and 
the  West,  to  recall  to  mind  the  gorgeous  Venetian  ceremony 
of  wedding  the  City  to  the  waves  of  the  Adriatic. 

Amongst  the  various  schemes  which  had  been  devised  to 
give  interest  to  the  excursion,  was  a  Regatta  off  Point  Alder- 
ton,  at  Hull,  which  had  been  intended  to  take  place  on  the 
approach  of  the  fleet.  As  the  President’s  arrangements  did 
not  allow  of  his  going  that  distance,  and  spending  the  time 
which  a  view  of  the  race  would  have  required,  the  Regatta 
was  witnessed  by  a  smaller  number  of  spectators  than  had 
been  anticipated.  But  notwithstanding  this  disappointment, 
the  parties  who  were  present  at  the  trial  of  skill  highly  en¬ 
joyed  the  exhibition. 

The  morning  did  not  promise  much,  as  there  was  no  wind  ; 
but  by  the  time  of  starting,  there  was  a  fine  breeze  from  the 
south  east.  The  judges’  boat,  the  yacht  Raven,  proceeded 
down  the  harbor  at  about  ten  o’clock,  in  tow  of  the  steamer 
Hornet.  She  arrived  S.  E.  of  the  Graves  before  eleven,  and 
was  anchored  at  the  appointed  place. 

She  was  suitably  decorated  for  the  occasion.  From  the 
jib  stay  was  suspended  the  Union  Jack,  at  the  fore  topmast 


91 


head  the  British  ensign,  and  below  the  flag  of  Denmark,  the 
yacht’s  signal ;  at  the  main,  the  American  Union  Jack,  pure 
white  ground  with  a  crimson  star ;  below  the  flag  of  Prance, 
and  at  the  topping-lift,  the  American  ensign. 

The  judges  were,  Benjamin  C.  Clark,  and  Geo.  B.  Upton, 
Esqs.,  and  Capt.  Matthew  Hunt. 

After  the  arrival  of  the  Raven  at  the  scene  of  operations, 
the  steamer  was  despatched  to  the  harbor  to  bring  down  the 
yachts,  which  intended  to  enter. 

At  12  M.,  the  signal  gun  was  fired  from  the  Raven,  and 
soon  after,  the  boats,  for  the  first  race,  formed  in  line. 

There  were  four  competitors  for  the  first  race — all  boats 
belonging  to  Hull,  viz.  : — 


Odd  Fellow, 
Gift, 

Susan, 

Charade, 


5  tons. 
5 
8 
9 


it 


tt 


u 


The  signal  gun  was  fired  at  2h.  49m.,  and  the  boats  went  off 
in  fine  style.  The  station  boat  was  placed  about  four  miles  to 
the  N.  E.  of  the  Graves ;  the  boats  all  rounded  her,  and  came 
back  in  the  following  order  by  the  judges’  boat  ; — 

The  Gift,  in  56J  minutes. 

“  Charade,  -  -  -  -  57  b 


11  Susan, 

“  Odd  Fellow, 


61 

66 


u 


it 


tt 


The  boats  were  allowed  30  seconds  a  ton,  for  difference  of 
tonnage  ;  though  after  making  this  allowance,  they  took  the 
prizes  in  the  order  of  their  coming  in. 

It  will  be  seen  that  they  made  excellent  time,  the  distance 
sailed,  being  about  eight  miles. 

The  prizes  fell  into  good  and  grateful  hands.  The  Gift  (a 
very  pretty  boat)  won  the  President’s  Goblet.  In  presenting 
it,  the  judge  said,  “  Capt.  Cobb,  you  are  already  the  possessor 
of  one  beautiful  Gift — the  city  of  Boston  makes  you  the 
owner  of  another.” 

The  Charade  took  the  second  prize,  an  elegant  spy-glass — 
being  the  second  she  has  won  lately.  The  judge  said,  “Cap¬ 
tain,  you  have  already  taken  one  glass— the  city  of  Boston 


92 


tenders  you  another.  It  is  not  often  she  give  her  friends  a 
glass  too  much.” 

The  Susan,  a  modest  looking  little  boat,  took  the  third 
prize,  a  highly  finished  brass  compass.  The  judge,  in  passing 
it  over,  said,  11  Captain,  you  have  worked  hard  and  skilfully 
to  win  a  prize,  and  have  coMPASs-ed  your  wishes.” 

In  the  meantime,  as  soon  as  the  small  boats  had  left,  the 
large  ones  were  immediately  formed  in  line ;  the  bay,  at  this 
time,  was  literally  covered  with  boats  of  every  description  ;  the 
steamer  Hornet  arrived  with  five  or  six  yachts  in  tow,  nearly 
all  of  which  at  once  entered  ;  there  were  many  other  large 
boats  plying  around,  which  did  not  enter  ;  among  others  we 
noticed  the  beautiful  Coquette,  the  Hornet,  Witch,  Gazelle, 
Grace,  Rattler,  Alida.  Bride  of  the  Billow,  Mary,  and  Minna. 

The  signal  gun  was  fired  at  thirteen  minutes  past  three. 
The  breeze  had  now  freshened,  and  gave  promise  of  a  fine 
race.  Precisely  at  the  moment,  the  following  yachts  start¬ 
ed  : — 


Neptune, 

10  tons, 

of  Marblehead,  Capt.  Gregory. 

Edward  Eddy, 

12  “ 

Salem, 

tt 

Smith. 

Excelsior, 

10  “ 

tt 

a 

Wallis. 

Triumph, 

20  “ 

Hingham, 

u 

Souther. 

Cygnet, 

31  “ 

Boston, 

u 

Healey. 

Pearl, 

32  “ 

Salem, 

u 

Martin. 

Quarantine, 

43  “ 

Boston, 

a 

Berry. 

Flirt, 

43  “ 

Boston, 

tt 

Manning. 

Mystery, 

46  “ 

Salem, 

tt 

Perkins. 

Surprise, 

53  “ 

Boston, 

it 

Thayer. 

The  race  was  from  the  judges’  boat,  outside  the  Graves, 
round  Egg  Rock,  back  to  the  place  of  starting.  The  wind 
thus  made  it  a  dead  beat  back  from  Nahant.  The  Neptune 
started  in  beautiful  style,  and  rounded  Egg  Rock  among  the 
first ;  but  in  beating  back  the  larger  boats  showed  their  supe¬ 
rior  qualities  on  a  wind.  The  judges’  boat  was  rounded  in 
the  following  order  : — 


Quarantine, 

Flirt, 

Cygnet,  - 
Pearl, 


2h.  01m. 
2h.  02m. 
2h.  03m. 
2h.  05m- 


93 


Mystery, 

- 

<*> 

% 

«■& 

2h. 

07m. 

Excelsior, 

- 

- 

- 

“ 

*■ 

2h. 

11m. 

Neptune, 

- 

- 

- 

2h. 

17m. 

Triumph, 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2h. 

20m. 

In  about  ten  minutes  after  the  arrival  of  the  last  boat,  the 
prizes  were  awarded  by  B.  C.  Clark,  Esq.,  the  Chairman  of 
the  Committee,  as  follows  : — 

The  ‘‘President’s  Pitcher,”  (value  $100,)  to  the  Cygnet. 
The  second  prize,  “  a  spy-glass,”  (value  $20,)  to  the  Excelsior, 
and  the  third,  “  a  set  of  colors,”  to  the  Pearl. 

The  winners  appeared  to  value  the  prizes  highly,  not  on 
account  of  their  intrinsic  value,  but  as  tokens  of  attention  and 
regard  from  the  city  of  Boston. 

Thus  ended  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  exciting  regat¬ 
tas  ever  witnessed  in  Massachusetts  Bay.  The  skill,  evinced 
in  getting  up  the  exhibition,  was  only  equalled  by  the  perfect 
harmony  and  good  feeling  which  marked  its  progress  and  its 
close. 

The  scene  was  lovely  in  the  extreme  ;  the  sun  was  shine- 
ing  in  an  unclouded  sky,  and  the  waters  of  our  beautiful  bay 
sparkled  and  danced  in  his  beams,  as  if  rejoicing  to  add  their 
abounding  share  to  the  attractiveness  of  the  scene.  The 
whole  harbor  was  dotted  with  vessels,  which  were  adorned 
with  gay  flags,  and  filled  with  persons  who,  overflowing  with 

the  spirit  of  enjoyment,  continually  gave  and  received  vocif- 

% 

erous  cheers  and  friendly  salutations  as  the  vessels  passed 
and  repassed  each  other. 

In  the  afternoon,  the  expectation  of  the  arrival  of  Lord 
Elgin,  the  Governor  General  of  British  North  America,  drew 
a  great  concourse  of  spectators  to  the  Western  Railroad  de¬ 
pot,  eager  to  see  and  welcome  him.  The  Mayor,  attended  by 
several  members  of  the  City  Government,  was  on  the  spot  to 
receive  the  distinguished  guest.  At  a  quarter  past  five  o’clock, 
the  train,  bearing  his  Lordship  and  Suite,  arrived.  The  mul¬ 
titude  welcomed  him  with  hearty  cheering  as  he  stepped  from 
the  cars  and  stood  upon  the  platform  in  the  wide  space,  in  the 
open  air,  to  the  south  of  the  depot.  Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow  then 


94 


tendered  to  him  a  public  welcome,  and  the  hospitalities  of 
the  City,  in  the  following  address  : — 

Your  Excellency  : — 

In  the  name  of  my  fellow  citizens,  I  welcome  you  to  the  me¬ 
tropolis  of  Yew  England.  We  recognise  you,  not  only  as  the 
ruler  of  extensive  and  important  provinces,  but  as  the  principal 
representative,  on  this  continent,  of  the  venerated  land  of  our  an¬ 
cestors.  It  is  told  of  Samoset,  the  Indian  Chief,  that  his  first 
salutation  to  the  Pilgrims  at  Plymouth,  was  “  welcome,  welcome, 
Englishmen.”  Such  was  the  greeting  of  the  old  warrior  to  those, 
who  were  to  invade  the  hunting-grounds  and  extinguish  the  coun¬ 
cil  fires  of  his  race.  With  a  better  augury  for  the  future,  it 
becomes  me  on  this  occasion,  to  repeat  that  salutation,  and  say, 
“  welcome  Englishmen  and  their  fellow  subjects,”  who  come  to  us 
under  circumstances  so  auspicious  for  our  own  and  then*  pros¬ 
perity. 

There  is  a  special  interest  connected  with  your  Excellency’s 
visit  at  this  time,  gracing,  as  it  does,  with  your  presence,  the  es¬ 
tablishment  of  a  social  and  commercial  alliance  between  this  city 
and  the  Canadas.  Lines  of  intercommunication  have  been  open¬ 
ed,  by  which  the  products  of  your  provinces  may  find  speedy  and 
convenient  transit  to  the  sea.  The  railways,  which  unite  us,  are 
works  more  truly  admirable  than  the  wondrous  avenues  which 
radiated  from  Imperial  Rome — avenues  for  facilitating  the  march 
of  invading  armies,  or  the  return  of  triumphal  chariots  laden 
with  the  spoils  of  desolated  countries.  Our  own  iron  pathways, 
the  result  of  scientific  labor  and  skill  unequalled  by  ancient  times, 
are  devoted  to  far  different  objects.  They  unite  in  friendly  rela¬ 
tions  the  inhabitants  of  widely  separated  regions — minister  to 
their  mutual  wants — diffuse  abroad  the  means  of  knowledge — 
“  and  scatter  plenty  through  a  smiling  land.” 

Our  festival  may  be  considered,  in  some  sort,  as  the  celebration 
of  a  conjugal  union  between  Canada  and  the  Ocean.  We  can  dis¬ 
pense  with  the  golden  ring,  which  was  used  in  the  espousals  of  Ve¬ 
nice  with  the  waters  of  the  Adriatic  ;  for  this  union  is  effected  by 
bands  of  iron,  which  at  once  attest  its  perpetuity  and  strength. 
My  Lord,  the  more  intimate  connection,  which  hereafter  is  to  sub¬ 
sist  between  the  people  whom  you  govern  and  the  Atlantic  states, 
is  perhaps,  in  no  small  degree,  a  pledge  and  a  guaranty  of  per¬ 
petual  amity  between  the  British  and  American  nations.  The 
memory  of  their  fratricidal  conflicts  is  fading  away,  and  the  history 
thereof,  I  trust,  is  completed  forever.  The  record  of  their  gen¬ 
erous  rivalry,  for  pre-eminence  in  the  arts  of  peace,  is  now  opening, 
and  is  destined  to  exhibit  the  brightest  pages  in  the  annals  of  their 
common  race.  Such,  I  am  confident,  are  the  anticipations  and 


hopes  of  the  people  for  whom  I  speak,  and  they  enhance  the 
pleasure  with  which  they  salute  you  as  their  welcome  and  honored 
guest.  [The  address  of  the  Mayor  was  seconded  by  the  enthusi¬ 
astic  cheers  of  the  multitude.] 

To  this  address  Lord  Elgin  made  the  following  reply: — 

Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen  : — 

I  am  quite  overcome  by  this  kind  and  cordial  reception ;  but, 
Gentlemen,  I  have  been  travelling  all  day,  and  my  throat  is  so 
full  of  dust  that  you  will  excuse  me  if  do  not  attempt  to  follow  the 

t /  JL 

Mayor  in  his  most  eloquent  address. 

But  there  is  one  thing  he  has  said,  which  I  cannot  allow  to 
pass  unnoticed.  He  has  suggested  that  we  should  consider  this 
celebration  the  “  conjugal  union  of  the  Canadas  with  the  Ocean.” 
Whatever  may  be  my  object  in  coming  to  Boston,  I  assure  you, 
Sir,  that  I  do  not  come  to  “  forbid  the  bans.”  [Hear,  hear,  and 
cheers.] 

I  appreciate  most  highly  the  sentiment  of  personal  regard,  which 
you  have  so  kindly  expressed  towards  me  ;  and  still  more  highly 
do  I  appreciate  the  assurances  you  have  given  me  of  your  respect 
and  consideration  for  my  Sovereign  and  my  Country,  and  for  that 
great  rising  Canadian  people,  upon  whose  prosperity  and  welfare 
my  hopes  and  my  feelings  and  my  wishes  erne  all  centred. 

Gentlemen  :  I  come  here  upon  the  hospitable  invitation  of  the 
city  of  Boston,  but  prompted  also — I  must  confess  it — by  the  de¬ 
sire  to  show  by  this  act  of  mine  rather  than  by  mere  words, — 
because  I  know  that  this  mode  of  expression  is  the  more  emphatic 
and  more  intelligible  of  the  two — to  show  by  this  act,  my  convic¬ 
tion  that  it  becomes  us,  Americans  and  Britons — I  put  the  Ameri¬ 
cans  first, — [hear,  hear,  hear,] — Americans  and  Britons, — de¬ 
scended  as  we  are  from  the  same  stock,  inheritors  of  the  same 
traditions,  and,  unless  I  grievously  misconstrue  the  signs  of  the 
times,  with  duties  and  responsibilities,  as  respects  the  future,  not 
widely  dissimilar, — to  be  ready  at  ail  times,  and  all  places,  and  more 
especially  at  this  time,  and  upon  this  soil  of  North  America,  to 
cultivate  toward  each  other  feelings  of  brotherly  love  and  mutual 
friendship.  These  are  my  feelings,  and  I  therefore  gladly  accept 
your  proffered  kindness.  [Cheers.] 

Lord  Elgin  then  took  a  seat  in  an  open  barouche,  with  the 
Mayor,  and,  together  with  his  Suite  in  other  carriages,  was 
escorted  by  the  Independent  Cadets,  (the  Governor’s  Guard,)  to 
the  Revere  House.  The  cortege  passed  through  Lincoln, 
Summer,  Winter,  Tremont,  and  Court  streets,  and  Lord  Elgin 
was  frequently  cheered  as  he  passed  by  the  multitudes,  who 


96 


lined  the  streets.  Nothing  could  be  more  respectful,  at  once, 
and  cordial  than  his  reception. 

The  inhabitants  of  Boston  are  led  both  by  instinct  and 
education  to  treat  any  stranger  with  courtesy,  any  guest  with 
kindly  hospitality,  and, — in  spite  of  an  ancient  feud  or  two, 
remembered  every  day  with  less  of  acrimony,  and  more  of 
the  sentiment  of  half-affectionate  respect  for  the  gallant  an¬ 
tagonist, — every  Briton  as  a  brother.  It  is  most  agreeable,  to 
every  true-hearted  American,  to  watch  the  rapid  and  ever 
onward  process  of  “  re-annexation  ”  in  mind  and  heart,  which 
is  going  on  between  this  country  and  her  political  and  intel¬ 
lectual  mother,  and  natural  and  almost  necessary  ally.  It 
would  be  invidious  at  present  to  particularise  the  statesmen 
of  our  own  country,  to  whom  we  are  in  a  large  measure  in¬ 
debted  for  the  public  manifestation  of  this  universal  feeling, 
but  it  is  not  improper,  it  is  in  fact  a  duty,  to  say,  that  to  such 
eminent  men  of  Great  Britain  as  Sir  Henry  Bulwer,  the  citi¬ 
zens  of  Boston,  and,  we  believe,  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
as  Anglo-Saxons,  as  Christians,  and  as  men,  feel  themselves 
under  very  great  obligations.  That  gentleman’s  “  bad 
speeches,”  as  he  alone  ventures  to  call  them,  not  only  rank 
with  the  best  of  their  class,  as  oratorical  performances,  but  ac¬ 
tually  tend  more  powerfully  to  promote  a  kindly  union  among 
the  nations  of  men,  upon  the  basis  of  mutual  justice,  kindness 
and  forbearance,  than  the  more  elaborate  efforts  of  a  greater 
number  of  Peace  Congresses  than  has  yet  had  to  be  counted, 
though  the  propriety  and  utility  of  those  conventions  are  to 
be  estimated  at  a  high  rate.  It.  is  also  an  agreeable  duty  to 
assign  to  Lord  Elgin  his  honorable  place,  at  the  side  of  Sir 
Henry,  in  the  same  admirable  career.  Some  of  these  consid¬ 
erations  doubtless  had  their  influence  in  the  minds  of  the 
assemblage  which  so  cordially  welcomed  his  Lordship.  And 
it  was  probably  remembered,  that  he  was  born  in  that  Scot¬ 
land,  which  more  than  any  other  country  resembles  our  own 
New  England, — that  classic  land  of  our  childhood,  whose  Cov¬ 
enanters,  the  true  cousins,  in  spirit  and  in  faith,  of  our  own 
u  persecuted  remnant  ”  of  Puritans,  are  almost  as  dear  to  our 
early  memories,  as  the  Pilgrims  themselves  ;  and,  despite  our 


97 


strong  disposition  to  recalcitrate  against  hereditary  honors,  it 
probably  was  not  altogether  forgotten,  that  he  is  a  represent¬ 
ative  of  that  Bruce  of  Bannockburn,  whose  fame  is  part  of  our 
own  inheritance,  and  the  story  of  whose  life  is  interwoven 
with  our  first-impressed  recollections.  It  is  no  small  compli¬ 
ment  to  his  Lordship,  to  say  that  the  crowd,  knowing  who  he 
was  and  what  he  was,  were  not  disappointed  in  the  personal 
appearance  of  one  around  whom  so  many  associations  at  that 
moment  clustered.  Although  somewhat  under  the  middle 
height,  his  figure  is  portly  and  dignified.  He  resembles  in 
face  and  in  person  the  late  John  Quincy  Adams,  though, — if 
the  expression  may  be  used, — projected  upon  a  bolder  scale. 
His  very  handsome  countenance  indicates  extraordinary  intel¬ 
lectual  power,  refined  culture  and  habitual  command  over  other 
men,  at  once,  and  his  own  impassioned  nature ;  and  in  his 
eye  and  his  mouth  are  seen,  each  in  a  strongly  marked  degree, 
grave  and  earnest  thought,  the  consciousness  of  power,  and 
the  sense  of  great  responsibility,  all  struggling  with  almost 
irrepressible  humor,  half  comic,  half  sarcastic,  but  always 
racy  and  vigorous.  There  is  also  expressed  in  his  face  indom¬ 
itable  courage,  and  anything  but  a  fondness  for  opposition. 
He  does  not  look  as  if  he  could  readily  bring  himself  to  yield 
to  anything  in  the  shape  of  opposing  force.  He  is  in  the 
prime  of  life,  (born  July  20th,  1811,)  and  evidently  enjoys 
vigorous  health. 

His  bearing  was  in  the  highest  degree  frank,  courteous 
and  manly.  His  person  and  deportment,  obviously  struck 
the  people  most  favorably,  and  he  was  greeted  with  three 
enthusiastic  cheers  upon  alighting  at  the  Revere  House. 

He  was  at  once  ushered  into  the  gentlemen’s  parlor,  and 
introduced  to  President  Fillmore,  by  Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow. 
The  meeting  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  the 
highest  officer  of  Great  Britain  in  North  America,  to  rejoice 
together  over  the  beneficent  triumphs,  of  peace  and  the 
addition  of  new  facilities  to  the  friendly  intercourse  of  the 
two  nations,  was  an  occasion  of  peculiar  interest  and  of  the 
happiest  augury. 

His  Lordship’s  Suite,  consisting  of  his  brother,  Lieut.  Col. 

13 


98 


Bruce,  whose  face  was  remarked  as  peculiarly  expressive  of 
refined  culture,  and  Lord  Mark  Kerr,  the  Hon.  George  Walde- 
grave,  Sir  A.  N.  MacNab,  Solicitor  General  McDonald,  and 
Messrs.  Hincks,  Drummond,  Tache  and  Price,  all  of  them 
men  of  very  gentlemanlike  bearing,  were  also  formally  intro¬ 
duced  to  the  President  and  Messrs.  Conrad  and  Stuart,  by 
Alderman  Rogers,  after  which  some  two  hours  were  passed 
in  the  presentation  of  citizens  who  desired  to  welcome  the 
Chiefs  of  two  contiguous  lands. 

At  a  later  period  in  the  evening,  Mr.  Webster  welcomed 
Lord  Elgin  and  his  Suite.  There  were  no  formal  speeches, 
but  a  simple,  cordial,  friendly  greeting. 

After  the  retirement  of  Lord  Elgin,  the  President  and 
Messrs.  Stuart  and  Conrad  were  introduced  to  all  the  Cana¬ 
dian  gentlemen  by  Alderman  Rogers.  Subsequently,  the 
President  went  to  the  ladies’  parlor,  where  he  was  introduced 
to  a  large  number  of  ladies,  with  whom  he  passed  an  agreea¬ 
ble  hour.  During  all  these  ceremonies  there  was  a  great 
crowd  of  people  in  Bowdoin  Square,  and  when  the  fireworks 
were  displayed,  a  general  shout  of  approbation  resounded 
through  the  area. 

At  the  Tremont  House,  a  dinner  was  given  by  the  City 
Authorities  to  the  officers  of  the  British  Army  then  in  Bos¬ 
ton,  as  a  token  of  cordial  welcome.  The  Adjutant  General 
of  the  Commonwealth  and  other  principal  officers  of  the 
Massachusetts  Militia  were  present,  and  the  evening  was 
passed  in  the  interchange  of  expressions  of  mutual  respect. 
Numerous  other  entertainments  were  also  given,  at  public 
houses,  to  the  guests  of  the  city. 

In  the  evening,  the  Mayor  held  a  Levee  at  his  mansion, 
in  Temple  street,  at  which  were  President  Fillmore,  Lord 
Elgin  and  Suite,  the  Secretaries  of  War  and  the  Interior, 
members  of  the  Canadian  Cabinet,  Judiciary  and  Parliament, 
officers  of  the  British  Army,  Gov.  Bout  well  and  other  princi¬ 
pal  officers  of  the  State,  the  members  of  the  City  Govern¬ 
ment,  and  a  large  number  of  eminent  citizens  of  various 
trades  and  professions.  Two  bands  of  music  were  in  attend¬ 
ance, — one  of  them  being  stationed  in  the  street,  to  salute 


99 


the  arrival  and  departure  of  distinguished  guests  in  an  appro¬ 
priate  manner.  As  the  President  and  the  Governor-General 
were  successively  announced  by  “  Hail  to  the  Chief,”  and 
“  God  save  the  Queen,”  the  dense  multitude  in  the  street  re¬ 
peated  the  welcome  with  enthusiastic  cheers. 

Other  levees  were  given  by  Mrs.  Harrison  Gray  Otis,  in 
Mount  Vernon  street,  Philip  Greely,  Jr.,  Esq.,  Collector  of 
the  Port,  in  McLean  street,  the  Hon.  Robert  C.  Winthrop,  in 
Pemberton  square,  and  the  Hon.  Samuel  A.  Eliot,  in  Beacon 
street,  all  of  which  were  honored  with  the  presence  of  Pres¬ 
ident  Fillmore  and  Suite,  and  Lord  Elgin  and  Suite. 

A  grand  Military  Ball  was  also  given  in  the  evening,  at 
Union  Hall ;  it  was  a  most  agreeable  gathering,  and  passed 
off  with  great  eclat.  Among  the  distinguished  persons  pres¬ 
ent  were  Lord  Elgin,  Sir  Allan  McNab,  Capt.  Lord  Mark 
Kerr,  Lieut.  Col.  the  Hon.  R.  Bruce,  Mr.  Solicitor  General 
McDonald,  Mr.  Solicitor  General  Drummond,  Mr.  Inspector 
General  Hincks,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Killaley,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Tache, 
M.  P.  P.,  Col.  Fitzgerald,  Major  Brooks,  Col.  Horne,  the  Hon. 
Capt.  King,  R.  E.,  Mr.  Parkinson,  of  the  3d  Regiment, 
Judge  McCord,  Col.  Gugy,  Mr.  Sheriff  Thomas,  the  Hon. 
W.  H.  Boulton,  M.  P.  P.,  Capt.  Jones,  of  the  54th  Reg., 
Lieut.  Chisholm,  of  the  42d  Reg.  Highlanders,  in  the  splendid 
and  peculiar  uniform  of  the  corps,  Capt.  Stimpson,  of  the 
20th  Reg.,  Dr.  Chisholm,  of  the  Medical  Staff,  and  Messrs. 
Young,  McDonald,  Mills,  Cameron,  Ross,  Radcliffe,  Odell, 
Bourchette,  Merritt,  F.  Merritt,  Bell,  Philpotts,  McKenzie, 
Jones,  Hart,  Patrick,  and  others,  of  Canada. 

Among  other  distinguished  men  who  were  present,  were 
Gov.  Bout  well  and  Staff,  ex-Gov.  Paine,  of  Vermont,  the 
Hon.  N.  P.  Banks,  Jr.,  the  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  Major- 
General  Edmands,  Col.  Sherman,  of  the  U.  S.  Flying  Artil¬ 
lery,  Gen.  J.  S.  Tyler,  and  Francis  Brinley,  Esq. 

Many  ladies  from  Canada  also  lent  their  charms  to  grace 
the  festive  occasion. 

At  the  entrance  of  Lord  Elgin,  the  national  air  of  England 
was  played  by  the  Germania  Musical  Society. 


100 


The  Viceroy  was  introduced  to  many  of  our  citizens  in  the 
hall.  After  remaining  half  an  hour  he  retired,  expressing 
himself  as  much  pleased  with  his  visit. 

The  ball  was  under  the  management  of  Gen.  S.  Andrews, 
Col.  R.  Cowdin,  and  Col.  C.  L.  Holbrook. 

At  the  Masonic  Temple,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachu¬ 
setts  entertained  their  Provincial  brethren  in  a  most  liberal 
manner.  A  large  number  of  distinguished  Masons  were 
present,  among  whom  were  Sir  Allan  McNab,  Judge  McCord, 
of  Quebec,  and  William  Henry  Boulton,  Esq.,  of  the  Provin¬ 
cial  Parliament.  E.  A.  Raymond,  Worshipful  Grand  Master, 
of  Massachusetts,  presided,  and,  after  much  good  music,  the 
hospitalities  of  the  fraternity  were  extended  by  Rev.  George 
M.  Randall,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  in  a  neat  and  appropriate 
address,  which  was  replied  to  by  Sir  Allan  McNab,  Provincial 
Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada  West,  on  behalf 
of  his  brethren  present.  The  company  then  adjourned  to 
the  spacious  ante-room  adjoining  the  Lodge,  where  refresh¬ 
ments  had  been  prepared. 

After  an  hour’s  interchange  of  friendly  sentiment,  the  com¬ 
pany  separated,  congratulating  each  other  on  the  great  event 
which  brought  them  together. 

In  the  afternoon,  the  City  Greys,  of  Bath,  Me.,  Capt.  E.  K. 
Harding,  were  received  at  the  Maine  Depot,  and  escorted  to 
South  Boston  by  the  Pulaski  Guards,  accompanied  by  the 
Charlestown  Brass  Band. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  Company  at  the  draw  of  the  upper 
bridge,  a  salute  was  fired  by  a  detachment  of  the  Boston 
Artillery,  under  the  direction  of  Capt.  Thomas  H.  Evans. 

The  Greys  were  escorted  to  their  camp,  (in  the  rear  of  the 
Guards’  Armory,)  which  was  called  “  Camp  Harding,”  in 
honor  of  their  Commander.  Supper  was  served  for  the  two 
companies  in  Lyceum  Hall.  At  eight  o’clock  in  the  evening 
there  was  a  Promenade  Concert  in  the  Armory,  after  which 
fireworks  were  let  oft’  from  the  camp-ground  under  the  direc¬ 
tion  of  Mr.  William  Beals,  Pyrotechnist. 


4 


101 


A  beautiful  exhibition  of  fireworks  was  given  in  the  eve¬ 
ning,  in  front  of  the  Revere  House,  by  Mr.  Stevens,  the  pro¬ 
prietor,  in  honor  of  President  Fillmore  and  Lord  Elgin. 
Besides  the  usual  display  of  rockets,  bombs,  Roman  candles, 
and  the  like,  there  were  several  set  pieces  * — one  of  which 
was  a  representation,  in  colored  lance  work,  of  a  Steamship, 
decorated  with  flags  flying  from  her  masts  and  peak. 

The  grand  finale  consisted  of  the  Crown  and  Eagle  be¬ 
neath  the  English  and  American  flags,  between  which  were 
seen  the  Clasped  Hands  of  Friendship. 

A  most  brilliant  display  of  fireworks  was  made  by  the  citi¬ 
zens  of  East  Boston,  in  honor  of  the  opening  of  the  Grand 
Junction  Railroad.  It  took  place  at  o’clock,  and  was 
greatly  admired  by  the  thousands  who  witnessed  it  from 
both  sides  of  the  harbor.  The  reflection  of  the  fires  from 
the  intervening  waters  gave  additional  splendor  to  the  view 
from  the  city  proper.  Besides  the  display  on  the  grounds  of 
the  company,  bon-fires  were  lighted  on  Eagle  Hill,  and  at 
the  residences  of  many  of  the  citizens  were  private  exhibi¬ 
tions  of  much  beauty. 

■  Such  were  the  scenes  of  the  Second  Day  of  the  Jubilee. 
No  accident  or  untoward  event  occurred  to  mar  the  general 
joy,  and  the  sun,  as  he  sank  in  smiles  behind  the  western 
hills,  gave  the  pleasing  assurance  that  the  coming  day  would 
be  enlivened  by  the  same  genial  rays  which  had  thus  far 
given  to  the  pageant  so  much  of  its  brilliancy,  and  contrib¬ 
uted  so  largely  to  the  comfort  and  enjoyment  of  the  gathered 
multitudes. 


102 


THIRD  DAY. 

The  morning  of  Friday,  September  19th,  the  last  day  of 
the  Celebration,  disappointed  no  fondly  indulged  hope,  but 
dawned  brightly  and  beautifully,  filling  the  hearts  of  thou¬ 
sands  with  joy  and  gladness,  and  exciting  the  highest  antici¬ 
pations  of  pleasure.  And  all  that  the  morning  promised  was 
fully  realized  ;  no  cloud  dimmed  the  mild  splendor  of  the 
sun ;  no  harsh  breath  from  the  east  chilled  the  air.  From 
sunrise  to  sunset  the  weather  was  glorious,  and  entire  success 
crowned  all  the  proceedings  of  the  day. 

The  Banks,  the  Custom  House,  the  Market  House  and 
most  of  the  stores  in  the  business  part  of  the  city  were 
closed,  and  the  occasion  was  observed  by  all  classes  of  citi¬ 
zens  as  a  holiday.  The  streets  were  thronged,  from  early 
dawn  to  midnight,  with  dense  masses  of  happy  people  in 
holiday  attire,  and  on  no  previous  occasion,  perhaps,  in  the 
history  of  the  city,  had  so  large  a  multitude  been  gathered 
within  her  limits  ; — yet  order  and  decorum  every  where  pre¬ 
vailed,  and  “  gladness  ruled  the  hour.” 

The  distinguishing  features  of  this  day’s  doings  were  the 
Procession,  the  Dinner  on  the  Common,  and  the  Fireworks 
and  Illuminations  in  the  evening  ;  and  for  all  these,  prepara¬ 
tions  had  been  made  upon  a  becoming  scale. 

The  appearance  which  the  city  presented,  as  the  hour  for 
forming  the  procession  drew  near,  was  animating  in  the  ex¬ 
treme.  In  all  the  streets  through  which  it  was  to  pass,  the 
sidewalks  were  every  where  crowded — sounds  of  martial 
music  from  time  to  time  rose  on  the  air — flags,  streamers  and 
evergreens,  mottoes,  inscriptions,  and  all  manner  of  fanciful 
devices  adorned  the  buildings — and  groups  of  smiling  and 
lovely  faces  filled  the  windows  and  looked  down  from  the 
balconies.  The  whole  scene  was  one  of  exceeding  beauty, 
such  as  one  would  look  upon  again  and  again,  “that  he 
might  call  it  up  when  fiir  away.” 


103 


To  the  general  regret,  a  sudden,  though  happily  not  se¬ 
rious,  indisposition  prevented  the  President  from  joining  in 
the  procession  ; — he,  however,  had,  in  consequence,  a  far 
more  favorable  opportunity  than  he  otherwise  would  have  had, 
of  seeing  the  whole  display  as  it  passed  the  Revere  House ; 
and  it  was  a  display  well  calculated  to  impress  a  stranger  with 
a  vivid  idea  of  the  character  and  resources  of  the  city. 

The  hour  named  for  the  formation  of  the  Procession  was  9 
o’clock,  A.  M. ;  but,  owing  to  the  unforeseen  delays  incident 
to  the  arrangement  of  so  large  a  body  of  men,  and  so  ex¬ 
tensive  a  collection  of  the  products  of  industry,  some  of 
them  of  the  most  ponderous  description,  it  was  nearly  11 
o’clock  before  all  was  in  readiness  to  move. 

The  Procession  was  composed  of  eleven  divisions  ;  and  its 
route  was  from  the  City  Hall,  in  School  street,  through  Tre- 
mont,  Court,  Cambridge,  Chambers,  Green  and  Pitts  streets, 
Hay  market  square,  Blackstone,  Clinton,  and  South  Market 
streets,  Merchants’  row,  State,  Washington,  Dover  and  Tre- 
mont  streets,  to  the  corner  of  Park  street,  where  it  entered  the 
Common,  and  passed,  through  lines  of  school  children,  up  the 
Park  street,  down  the  Beacon  street  and  through  the  Charles 
street  Mall,  to  the  Boylston  street  gate  where  it  was  dismissed. 

FIRST  DIVISION. 

The  vanguard  consisted  of  a  line  of  twelve  policemen  extending 
across  the  street,  under  the  direction  of  officers  Osborn  and  Sleeper. 

Francis  Tukey,  Esq.,  City  Marshal. 

Aid,  Aid, 

Officer  Spurr.  Officer  Butman. 


MILITARY  ESCORT. 

Brigadier  Gen.  Samuel  Andrews,  of  the  first  brigade  first  divis¬ 
ion,  commanding,  and  Staff,  viz  : — 

Major  P.  S.  Davis,  Brigade  Major ;  Capt.  Henry  C.  Brooks,  Aid  ; 
Capt.  Daniel  Sharp,  Jr.,  Brigade  Quarter  Master,  and  William  Ba¬ 
ker,  Jr.,  Acting  Aid-de-Camp. 

SUFFOLK  BRASS  BAND. 

The  National  Lancers,  Capt.  T.  J.  Pierce. 

The  Fifth  regiment  of  Artillery,  under  Col.  Robert  Cowden,  Lieut. 
Col.  H.  W.  Usher ;  Major  Caleb  Page ;  Lieut.  Samuel  S.  Chase, 
Adjutant;  Lieut.  Frederick  A.  Heath,  Quartermaster ;  Dr.  Phipps, 
Surgeon ;  Dr.  C.  E.  Buckingham,  Surgeon’s  mate. 


104 


bond’s  cornet  band. 

Boston  Artillery,  Capt  Evans. 

Columbian  Artillery,  Capt.  Thompson. 

Washington  Artillery,  Capt.  Bullock. 

Roxbury  Artillery,  Capt.  Webber. 

Concord  Artillery,  Capt.  Wood. 

Charlestown  Artillery,  Capt.  Huntley. 

The  last  two  companies  annexed  to  the  fifth  regiment  for  the  occasion. 

The  First  Regiment  of  Light  Infantry,  under  Col.  C.  L.  Holbrook  ; 
Lieut.  Col.  John  C.  Boyd  ;  Major  James  A.  Abbott ;  Lieut.  Thomas 
E.  Chickering,  Adjutant ;  Lieut.  Thomas  L.  Robinson,  Quarter¬ 
master  ;  Lieut,  Caleb  T.  Curtis,  Paymaster. 

kendall’s  brass  band. 

New  England  Guards,  Capt.  Bradlee. 

Boston  Light  Guard,  Capt.  Clark. 

Washington  Light  Guard,  Capt.  Savory. 

Boston  Light  Infantry,  Capt  Ashley. 

City  Guards,  Lieut.  Pulsifer  commanding. 

Norfolk  Guards,  of  Roxbury,  Capt.  Merriam. 
Massachusetts  Volunteers,  Capt.  Moore. 

Warren  Light  Infantry,  Roxbury,  Lieut.  Nichols  commanding. 
Boston  Independent  Fusileers,  Capt.  Mitchell. 

Winthrop  Light  Guard,  Capt.  Cassell. 

Pulaski  Guards,  Capt.  Wright. 

Mechanic  Riflemen,  Capt  S.  G.  Adams. 

Next  came  a  fine  battalion  of  two  companies  from  Rhode  Island 
and  Maine,  under  command,  for  the  occasion,  of  Col.  J.  D.  Greene 
of  the  4th  Infantry  ;  Lieut.  Col.  Horace  Williams ;  Maj.  Edmund  A. 
Parker ;  Hr.  H.  B.  C.  Greene,  Surgeon. 

BATH  BRASS  BAND. 

Providence  Light  Infantry,  Col.  W.  W.  Brown  commanding. 

Bath  City  Greys,  Capt.  E.  Iv.  Harding. 

Gen.  John  S.  Tyler,  Chief  Marshal. 

Aids.  Aids. 

Major  John  C.  Park,  Major  Joel  Scott, 

Col.  John  L.  Dimmock,  Major  Charles  II.  Appleton, 

William  H.  Foster,  Esq. 

flagg’s  brass  band. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  in  carriages. 

V-*  O 

These  weres  ucceeded  by  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  and  Common 
Council  of  this  city. 


105 


SECOND  DIVISION. 
B.  G.  Bates,  Chief  Marshal. 


Aids. 


Aids. 

I.  G.  Bates, 

J.  W.  Ward, 


Enoch  Train, 
Peter  Butler,  Jr. 


Edward  F.  Hall 


BAND. 


Secretaries  Conrad  and  Stuart,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Alderman 
Rogers,  in  a  barouche  drawn  by  six  white  horses,  and  flanked  by 
detachments  of  the  Independent  Cadets.  [The  Mayor  was  not  in  the 
procession, — being  occupied  in  arrangements  concerning  the  exercises 
at  the  Pavilion.] 

Lord  Elgin,  and  his  Suite,  consisting  of  the  Hon.  Col.  Bruce,  Pri¬ 
vate  Secretary  and  principal  Aid-de-camp,  and  Lord  Mark  Kerr, 
Aid-de-camp,  accompanied  by  Francis  Brinley,  Esq.,  in  a  barouche 
drawn  by  six  white  horses,  and  flanked  by  a  detachment  of  the  Inde¬ 
pendent  Cadets. 

Gov.  Boutwell  and  Aids,  as  follows : — Lieut.  Cols.  J.  T.  Heard,  C. 
W.  Chapman,  and  II.  A.  Williams ;  followed,  in  another  carriage,  by 
Adj’t.  Gen.  E.  W.  Stone,  and  Lieut.  Col.  D.  Needham. 

Acting  Gov.  W.  B.  Lawrence,  of  Rhode  Island,  Major  Sherman 
of  the  Flying  Artillery,  and  Col.  Pitman. 

Canadian  Ministry : — The  Hon.  Francis  Hincks,  Inspector  Gen¬ 
eral  ;  the  Hon.  E.  P.  Tache,  Receiver  General ;  the  Hon.  J.  II.  Price, 
Commissioner  of  Crown  Lands  ;  and  the  Hon.  George  Waldegrave. 

Lieut.  Gov.  H.  W.  Cushman,  the  Hon.  Joseph  Bourret,  Commis¬ 
sioner  of  Public  Works,  and  the  Hon.  Henry  Wilson,  President  of 
the  Senate. 

Members  of  the  Executive  Council;  the  Hon.  Messrs.  Isaac  Emery, 
E.  K.  Whitaker,  and  J.  B.  Alley,  and  the  Hon.  A.  Abbot,  ex-repre¬ 
sentative  in  Congress,  from  Andover. 

Messrs.  George  W.  Pike,  Rodolphus  B.  Hubbard,  Philo  Leach, 
and  Noah  Gibson. 

Mr.  Gilkison,  of  Brantford,  Canada ;  Capt.  Allyne,  R.  N.,  Que¬ 
bec  ;  W.  H.  Ponton,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  Belleville  ;  James  Ross,  Esq., 
of  Belleville. 

The  Hon.  Amasa  Walker,  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth ; 
Charles  B.  Hall,  Esq.  Treasurer ;  David  Wilder,  Jr.,  Esq.,  Auditor ; 
and  T.  H.  Campbell,  Esq.,  Auditor  of  Illinois. 

Sir  Allan  N.  McNab,  M.  P.  P. ;  the  Hon.  H.  H.  Killaly,  Assistant 
Commissioner  of  Public  Works;  Mr.  Robinson,  of  Canada;  and  Ex- 
Gov.  Paine,  of  Vermont. 

The  Hon.  William  Morris,  M.  L.  C. ;  Rev.  Dr.  E.  Ryerson,  Su¬ 
perintendent  of  the  Department  of  Education,  C.  W. ;  the  Hon. 
Samuel  Mills,  M.  L.  C.,  of  Canada. 

The  Hon.  Robert  C.  Winthrop,  Mr.  Attorney  General  Clifford. 


14 


106 


Solicitor  General  McDonald  ;  the  lion.  W.  B.  Richards,  M.  P.  P. ; 
Mr.  Sheriff  Thomas,  Mr.  Sheriff  Smith,  Mr.  Sheriff  Camell. 

George  Brown,  Esq.,  the  Hon.  James  Hall,  M.  P.  P. ;  the  Hon. 
Robert  Bell,  M.  P.  P.,  of  Canada ;  accompanied  by  Symmes  Gardner, 
Esq.,  of  Boston. 

The  Hon.  Mr.  Goodenow,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Hebard,  Halifax;  Col. 

B.  C.  A.  Gugy,  M.  P.  P. ;  the  Hon.  W.  H.  Boulton,  M.  P.  P. 

His  Honor,  John  G.  Bowes,  Mayor  of  Toronto ;  Aldermen  Wake¬ 
field  and  Beard,  Mr.  Recorder  Duggan,  and  the  Rev.  Barnas  Sears, 
Secretary  of  the  Massachusetts  Board  of  Education. 

Messrs.  Lepper,  and  Lampson,  of  the  City  Council,  Quebec. 

Joseph  Hamel,  City  Surveyor,  and  A.  Dorval,  Esq.,  Councillor, 
Quebec ;  Aldermen  Thompson  and  Ridout,  Toronto. 

William  Weller,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  Cobourg;  Messrs.  D.  E.  Boulton, 

C.  H.  Morgan,  and  R.  H.  Throope,  and  Dr.  Beatty,  of  the  same  place. 
George  L.  Allen,  Esq.,  the  Police  Magistrate  of  Toronto  ;  Aider- 

man  Whittemore,  and  Messrs.  Councilmen  Price,  Ritchey,  and  Platt, 
of  Toronto. 

Mr.  James  Brown,  Canada;  William  Mattice,  Esq.,  Mayor  of 
Cornwall,  C.  W. ;  J.  Lane,  Esq.,  Clerk  C.  C.,  Barrie  ;  A.  T.  McCord, 
Esq.,  Chamberlain,  and  Mr.  Councilman  Hayes,  Toronto. 

Messrs.  Graveley,  Strong,  and  Jeffrey,  Cobourg ;  Messrs.  Stro- 
bridge,  and  Bunnell,  Brantford. 

Alderman  Dempsey,  George  L.  Allen,  Esq.  Chief  of  the  Police,  and 
John  Watkins,  Esq.,  of  Toronto,  and  W.  Patterson,  Esq.,  Quebec. 

James  Cotton,  Esq.,  Toronto  ;  J.  Brouseau,  Esq.,  and  Dr.  Ivimlin, 
of  Quebec  ;  and  J.  H.  Larkin,  Esq.,  Montreal. 

The  Hon.  Charles  Wilson,  Mayor  of  Montreal ;  the  Hon.  N.  F. 
Belleau,  Mayor  of  Quebec;  Alderman  McFarlane,  Montreal. 

Mr.  Councillor  Weeks,  Hamilton  ;  W.  G.  Cassels,  Esq.,  Toronto  ; 
Dr.  E.  J.  Barker,  Kingston  ;  and  W.  Lampson,  Esq.,  of  City  Council, 
Quebec. 

Messrs.  Frechette  and  Bronsdon,  of  City  Council,  Montreal ;  Aider- 
man  Magill,  Hamilton;  Duncan  McFarlane,  Esq.,  Toronto. 

W.  L.  Distin,  Esq.,  Alderman,  and  J.  Moore,  Esq.,  Councillor, 
Hamilton ;  J.  G.  Ridout,  Esq.,  Toronto ;  Messrs.  C.  Berczy,  and 
J.  C.  Pyper,  Canada. 

J.  Trilles,  M.  Davis,  and  R.  McElroy,  Esq’s,  City  Council,  Hamil¬ 
ton ;  G.  E.  French,  Esq.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

The  Hon.  Tappan  Wentworth,  Lowell;  J.  H.  Williams,  Esq.,  and 
C.  Willis,  Esq.,  Boston ;  T.  Trask,  Esq.,  Salem ;  Alderman  J.  M. 
Williams,  Hamilton  ;  Gen.  McLean,  C.  T.  Gwinnell,  Esq. 

Hon.  Alex.  McLean,  M.  P.  P. ;  Roderic  W.  Cameron,  Esq.,  and 
A.  Mathewson,  Esq.,  Hamilton. 

Aldermen  Lynch,  and  Grenier,  and  Councillors  Leeming  and  At¬ 
water,  Montreal. 

S.  Morrill,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  London,  C.  W. ;  J.  Lister,  Esq.,  of  the 
City  Council,  Hamilton. 

Sir  Robert  Campbell,  Montreal ;  and  Messrs.  Lane,  Adams,  and 
Richards,  Canada. 

Messrs.  Manning,  Brunskill,  Robertson,  and  Urquhart,  Toronto. 


107 


J.  P.  Sexton,  City  Clerk,  and  S.  J.  Lyman,  Esq.,  Montreal. 

The  Hon.  A.  N.  Kinsman,  Mayor  of  New  Haven ;  the  Hon.  E. 
Flower,  Mayor  of  Hartford  ;  F.  Crosby,  Esq.,  Boston. 

The  Hon.  R.  Matheson,  M.  P.  P. ;  George  P.  Lawson,  Esq.,  Hali¬ 
fax  ;  Dr.  G.  C.  Ardouin,  Quebec. 

THIRD  DIVISION. 

AMERICAN  BRASS  BAND. 

Henry  C.  Lord,  Chief  Marshal. 

Aid.  Aid. 

P.  E.  Kingman.  J.  B.  Wheelock. 

The  Hon.  Charles  Hudson,  Naval  Officer  of  Port  of  Boston  ;  G.  H. 
Miller,  Esq.,  Collector  of  Port  of  Salem  ;  S.  D.  Whitney,  Esq.,  Con¬ 
sul  to  Venezuela;  S.  Bryant,  Esq.,  Consul  to  Equador ;  William 
Elliott,  Esq.,  British  Vice  Consul. 

The  Hon.  Messrs.  Kuhn,  Keyes,  Hubbard,  and  others  of  the  Senate 
of  Massachusetts. 

Mr.  Chief  Justice  Wells,  and  Messrs.  Justices  Hoar  and  Mellen,  of 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  followed  by  about  twenty  members  of  the 
House  of  Representatives. 

FOURTH  DIVISION. 

J.  W.  Pierce,  Chief  Marshal. 

Aid.  Aid. 

D.  W.  Childs.  F.  A.  Allen. 

[south  DEDHAM  BRASS  BAND. 

Officers  of  the  Army  and  Navy. 

Capt.  Nye,  20th  Regiment ;  Capt.  Stevens,  R.  N. ;  J.  R.  Pilkington, 
R.  E. ;  Capt.  Percival,  U.  S.  N. ;  Capt.  Jugall,  Lieut.  W.  H.  Noble, 
R.  E. ;  W.  A.  Holwell,  Ordnance  Storekeeper,  Quebec ;  Dr.  Ruther¬ 
ford,  Medical  Staff ;  Dr.  Maitland,  C.  P.  R. ;  Capt.  Kerr,  R.  E. ; 
Capt.  Marjory,  54th  Regiment ;  Dr.  Wright,  U.  S.  N. 

Senior  Surgeon  Stewart  Chisholm,  Royal  Artillery  ;  Dr.  John  Gra¬ 
ham,  British  Army ;  Lieut.  Archibald  M.  Chisholm,  42d  Royal  High¬ 
landers  ;  Dr.  Delany,  U.  S.  N. 

Capt.  Hawkes,  Royal  Regiment;  William  Gaudet,  Commissioner 
of  Staff;  Mr.  Shane,  54th  Reg’t;  Lieut.  W.  A.  Parker,  U.  S.  N. 

Lieut.  Lutzens,  20th  Reg’t. ;  Lieut.  O’Brien,  54th  Reg’t. ;  Assistant 
Com.  Gen.  Webb ;  Commissary  John  Pope,  U.  S.  A. ;  Mr.  Kean 
Buchanan,  U.  S.  A. 


108 

FIFTH  DIVISION. 

Farnham  Plummer,  Chief  Marshal. 

Aid.  Aid. 

Stephen  Rhodes.  H.  F.  Blodgett. 

This  Division  was  composed  chiefly  of  invited  guests  from  Canada 
and  the  other  Provinces,  on  foot.  Among  the  gentlemen  present  we 
noticed  the  following:  His  Honor,  the  Mayor  of  Halifax,  and  Aider- 
man  More ;  Ex-British  Consul  Buchanan  ;  the  Hon.  J.  T.  Williams, 
Ex-Mayor  of  Port  Hope;  the  Hon.  E.  Hale,  Sherbrooke;  Mr.  Jus¬ 
tice  T.  C.  Aylwin,  C.  Q.  B. ;  the  Hon.  John  Molson,  President 
of  the  Champlain  and  St.  Lawrence  Railroad  Co.;  Mr.  William 
Molson,  Director  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  Atlantic  R.  R.  Co. ;  the 
Hon.  William  B.  Robinson,  M,  P.  P. ;  Dr.  Hallowell,  Professor  in 
Trinity  College,  Toronto ;  Judge  Mondelet  and  son,  of  Montreal ;  Mr. 
Sheriff  Treadwell,  of  Prescott  Co. ;  B.  Delisle,  R.  N. ;  W.  B.  Rich¬ 
ards,  Esq.,  Queen’s  Counsel,  and  M.  P.  P.  for  Leeds ;  Mr.  Charles 
Scheller,  Deputy  Clerk  to  the  Crown  ;  A.  Jobin,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.; 
Henry  Smith,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  for  Frontenac;  John  Egan,  Esq., 
M.  P.  P. ;  Messrs.  Weeks  and  Labadie,  Notaries  Public,  Montreal ; 
William  Lunn,  Esq.,  and  son,  Montreal ;  B.  Chamberlain,  Esq.,  Advo¬ 
cate  ;  William  McDonald,  Esq.,  Lachine  ;  Mark  Burnham,  Esq.,  Port 
Hope ;  Mr.  J.  Gamble,  Municipal  Office,  Montreal ;  Mr.  Charles 
Geddes,  Montreal ;  Dr.  G.  Russel,  Toronto ;  Dr.  Munro,  Montreal ; 
A.  J.  Alexander,  M.  D. ;  Dr.  Mount,  Montreal ;  Messrs.  M.  Cas- 
siday,  J.  F.  Peltier,  and  T.  Cherrier,  Members  of  the  Bar,  and  the 
Hon.  Judge  Day,  S.  Court,  Montreal. 

Quite  a  number  of  prominent  railroad  capitalists  and  directors  also 
appeared  in  this  division.  Among  them  were  observed  Samuel  A. 
Walker,  Esq.,  E.  Hasket  Derby,  Esq.,  Mr.  Hammond,  and  others. 

SIXTH  DIVISION. 

Albert  Bowker,  Chief  Marshal. 

Aid.  Aid. 

C.  F.  Lougee.  Beza  Lincoln. 

This  Division  was  composed  of  the  officers  of  the  different  depart¬ 
ments  of  the  City  Government,  past  Mayors,  Aldermen  and  Common 
Councilmen  :  also  of  members  of  the  City  Governments  of  other  Cities 
of  the  United  States,  Officers  and  Clerks  of  various  City  Institutions, 
past  resident  Physicians,  and  others.  Among  them  wrere,  the  Hon. 
J.  H.  Ayer,  Mayor  of  Lowell ;  the  Hon.  Geo.  Hood,  Mayor  of  Lynn  ; 
the  Mayor  of  Lawrence,  and  the  Hon.  Mr.  Skinner,  of  New  Haven. 


The  Seventh  Division ,  constituting  by  far  the  most  promi¬ 
nent,  as  well  as  the  most  interesting  feature  in  the  procession, 
and  representing  the  various  trades  and  mechanical  pursuits 


109 


of  the  city,  will  be  specially  noticed  in  another  place.  Such 
a  display,  as  this  Division  made,  was  certainly  never  before 
equalled  in  our  City,  and  it  surpassed  even  the  highest  ex¬ 
pectations  of  the  most  sanguine. 

It  placed  in  a  striking  light  the  industrial  resources  of  Bos¬ 
ton,  and  the  elements  of  its  prosperity  ;  and,  in  the  variety, 
beauty,  and  magnitude  of  its  exhibitions,  surprised  many 
even  of  those  who  had  been  all  their  lives  familiar  with  the 
industry  of  the  city.  As  no  exhibition  of  this  kind  in  our 
streets  ever  equalled  this,  so  no  one  certainly  ever  gave  more 
pleasure,  or  received  more  marked  proofs  of  unqualified  com¬ 
mendation  and  approval,  from  the  thousands,  both  citizens 
and  strangers,  who  were  the  delighted  spectators  of  it ;  and  it 
called  forth  from  President  Fillmore  the  expression,  that, 
although  he  knew  Boston  “  had  its  Merchant  Princes,  he  had 
not  known  till  then,  that  it  had  its  Mechanic  Noblemen  of 
Nature.” 


EIGHTH  DIVISION. 

Alpheus  Hardy,  Chief  Marshal. 

Aid.  Aid. 

G.  F.  Woodman.  F.  G.  Whiston. 

This  Division  was  composed  of  the  officers  and  members  of  the 
Mercantile  Library  Association,  numbering  nearly  1000  persons,  un¬ 
der  the  Marshalship  of  Mr.  John  Stetson,  aided  by  Messrs.  Levi  L. 
Wilcutt  and  Henry  C.  Allen,  and  of  a  delegation  of  the  Students  of 
Harvard  University.  The  Association  was  accompanied  by  the  Wey¬ 
mouth  Brass  Band,  and,  as  usual  when  they  appear  in  a  body,  made 
a  very  fine  appearance. 

Harvard  College  was  largely  represented,  and  the  delegation  of  stu¬ 
dents  was  accompanied  by  the  Mechanics’  Brass  Band.  The  Senior 
Class  was  marshaled  by  C.  IV.  Upham,  with  D.  C.  Tremble,  and  J. 
Porter  as  aids  ;  the  Junior  Class,  by  G.  H.  Sargent,  with  C.  F.  Liver¬ 
more  and  W.  Davis,  as  aids  ;  the  Sophomore  Class,  by  R.  C.  Win- 
throp,  Jr.,  with  B.  J.  Jeffries,  and  J.  B.  Dickson,  as  aids  ;  the  Fresh¬ 
man  Class,  by  J.  Hayes,  with  II.  Walker,  and  A.  Agassiz  as  aids. 
A  plain  banner,  with  the  simple  inscription 

Harvard. 

was  borne  by  A.  W.  Thaxter,  aided  by  W.  P.  Phipps  and  G.  W. 
Norris. 


110 


NINTH  DIVISION. 

George  Wheelwright,  Chief  Marshal. 

Aid.  Aid. 

G.  A.  Batchelder.  J.  R.  Bradford. 

This  Division  was  composed  of  the  children  of  the  Warren  Street 
Chapel  School,  drawn  in  thirty-two  wagons,  under  the  marshalship  of 
John  S.  Freeman.  The  wagons  were  tastefully  decorated  with  ever¬ 
greens  and  flowers,  and  the  young  masters  and  misses,  to  the  number 
of  about  500,  had  their  hats,  bonnets  and  heads  wreathed  with  ever¬ 
green.  The  exhibition  was  arranged  so  as  to  represent  the  four  sea¬ 
sons,  commencing  with  Spring,  and  terminating  with  Winter,  and  was 
one  of  the  most  pleasing  features  of  the  procession.  The  children  were 
dressed  in  costume  appropriate  to  the  seasons  which  they  represented. 
Those  in  the  rear  wagons  were  in  no  danger  of  suffering  from  cold, 
judging  from  the  material  which  composed  their  garments.  In  the  last 
wagon  of  the  train,  were  seated,  on  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  Master  Sidney 
Fisher,  and  Miss  Elizabeth  J.  Foster,  dressed  in  ancient  costume,  and 
having  the  appearance  of  a  venerable  couple,  which  character  they 
sustained  in  the  most  appropriate  manner.  Over  their  heads,  was  a 
banner  bearing  the  motto, 

“  Peace  be  with  you.” 

The  body  of  this  wagon  was  filled  with  large  lumps  of  alum,  making  a 
capital  facsimile  of  ice,  and  giving  great  effect  to  the  show. 

TENTH  DIVISION. 

M.  Field  Fowler,  Chief  Marshal. 

Aid.  Aid. 

J.  B.  Richardson.  H.  W.  Cushing. 

At  the  head  of  this  Division  was  the  German  Gymnastic  Society, 
Mr.  Meier,  Marshal.  They  numbered  about  30  persons,  and  bore 
the  German  flag. 

Other  Societies  followed  in  the  order  mentioned  below,  each  bear¬ 
ing  its  banner : — 

The  Bay  State  Lodge  of  the  Grand  United  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 

No.  814. 

The  Scots  Charitable  Society,  led  by  Alexander  Macgregor,  all 
wearing  plaid,  and  some  the  emblematic  feather. 

The  Mutual  Relief  Society,  John  Madigan,  Marshal. 

The  Young  Catholic’s  Friend  Society,  Wm.  F.  A.  Kelly,  Marshal. 
The  St.  Mary’s  Mutual  Benefit  Society,  Owen  Harrington,  Marshal. 
The  Irish  Protestant  Mutual  Relief  Society,  John  Hagan,  Marshal. 
The  Laborer’s  Aid  Society,  James  O’Neil,  Marshal. 

[The  members  of  this  Society  were  uniformly  dressed  in  black  hats, 
blue  frocks,  and  black  pantaloons.] 

The  Father  Mathew  T.  A.  Society,  Berthold  Taylor,  Marshal. 


ill 


The  St.  Nicholas  Total  Abstinence  Society,  of  East  Boston,  Martin 

Burke,  Marshal. 

The  St.  John’s  Mutual  Relief  Total  Abstinence  Society,  of  East 

Boston,  D.  W.  Campbell,  Marshal. 

The  St.  Vincent  Total  Abstinence  Society,  Thomas  Carberry,  Marshal. 
The  Father  Mathew  Mutual  Benevolent  Total  Abstinence  Society,  of 
Charlestown,  James  O’Brien,  Marshal. 

The  St.  Joseph  Total  Abstinence  Society  of  Roxbury,  James  KildufF, 

Marshal. 

ELEVENTH  DIVISION. 

C.  J.  Savage,  Chief  Marshal. 

Aid.  Aid. 

Enoch  Train,  Jr.  F.  Lyman. 

This  Division  was  composed  of  our  hardy  and  muscular  truckmen, 
to  the  number  of  110,  dressed  in  their  neat  white  frocks,  black  hats 
and  trowsers,  mounted  on  their  noble  horses,  and  under  command  of 
Col.  Thomas  Bancroft. 

The  whole  procession  terminated  with  a  cavalcade,  which  though 
not  very  numerous,  made  a  very  respectable  appearance. 


It  is  difficult  to  make  any  very  accurate  estimate  of  the 
number  of  those  who  took  part  in  the  procession ;  but  some 
idea  of  it  may  be  formed  from  the  fact  that  the  time  occupied 
in  passing  any  given  point  was  fully  two  hours,  and  that  its 
length  could  not  have  been  less  than  three  and  a  half  miles. 
The  streets  through  which  it  passed  were  kept  entirely  free 
from  carriages,  and  had  been  swept  and  sprinkled  with  water. 
The  sidewalks  along  its  whole  route  were  filled  by  a  com¬ 
pact  yet  perfectly  orderly  mass  of  delighted  spectators,  while 
from  every  window,  balcony  and  portico,  and  even  from 
many  roofs,  clusters  of  happy  faces  looked  down  upon  the 
moving  pageant.  As  the  distinguished  guests  of  the  city 
came  in  view  they  every  where  met  a  most  cordial  and  en¬ 
thusiastic  reception.  Cheer  followed  cheer  continually,  while 
from  window  and  balcony  the  animated  looks,  bright  smiles, 
fluttering  silks  and  waving  handkerchiefs  of  the  ladies  added 
a  poetic  grace  to  the  scene.  The  greeting,  so  heartily  given, 
was  warmly  received  and  gracefully  reciprocated.  The  ever 
ready  shout  of  welcome  which  attended  the  progress  of  Lord 
Elgin,  in  particular,  was  indicative,  not  only  of  the  friendly 
feelings  entertained  towards  the  nation  he  represented,  and 


112 


of  respect  for  the  high  station  he  filled,  but  it  was  a  spon¬ 
taneous  testimony  of  the  personal  interest  in  himself  which 
his  frank  courtesy  and  noble  bearing  had  inspired. 

The  streets,  through  which  the  procession  was  to  pass,  had 
been  profusely  and  tastefully  ornamented.  Although  any 
description,  which  can  now  be  given  of  their  various  decora¬ 
tions,  can  convey  but  a  faint  impression  of  the  reality ;  yet 
their  beauty,  number  and  appropriateness  contributed  in  so 
great  a  degree  to  the  splendor  of  the  pageant,  that  an  attempt 
must  be  made  to  indicate  their  character.  The  account 
which  follows,  imperfect  as  it  is,  may  in  some  measure  an¬ 
swer  this  purpose.  It  is  given  in  the  order  of  the  route  of 
the  Procession,  commencing  with  the  City  Hall. 

THE  CITY  HALL. 

This  building  was  only  ornamented  on  the  southern  side, 
facing  School  street.  Over  the  general  passage-way  to  the 
building,  a  large  arch  was  erected,  the  columns  of  which  were 
inscribed  with  the  names  of  the  thirty-two  railroads  of  Mas¬ 
sachusetts,  centering  in  Boston.  On  the  face  of  the  arch, 
as  viewed  from  the  south,  a  train  of  cars  was  represented  in 
full  motion,  and  the  motto — 

GRAND  RAILROAD  JUBILEE, 

sept.  17th,  18tii,  19th,  1851. 

On  the  reverse  was  the  inscription, — 

THE  CANADAS  AND  THE  GREAT  WEST. 

PROSPERITY  TO  ALL. 

The  emblem,  enclosed  by  the  inscription,  was  a  steamship 
ploughing  her  way  through  the  ocean. 

From  the  highest  windows  of  the  central  front,  lines  of 
large  and  well  arranged  banners  extended  to  the  east  and 
west.  The  Stars  and  Stripes,  the  red  cross  of  St.  George, 
and  flags  with  the  armorial  bearings  of  the  Canadas,  gave  a 
fine  appearance  to  the  building.  Starred  streamers  and  pen¬ 
nons,  of  various  colors  and  tastefully  garlanded,  hung  from 
the  various  windows.  On  the  balcony  in  front  was  an  eques¬ 
trian  portrait  of  Washington,  of  life  size,  with  the  inscrip¬ 
tion, — 


113 


WASHINGTON, 

“THE  FATHER  OF  OUR  COUNTRY.” 

And  beneath, — 

THE  MARCH  OF  IMPROVEMENT ! 

Over  the  eastern  entrance  from  School  street  was  a  medal¬ 
lion,  inscribed, — 

“e  pluribus  unum.” 

1851. 

and  surmounted  by  a  golden  Eagle  grasping  in  his  talons  the 
national  colors.  Over  the  western  entrance,  another  medal¬ 
lion  showed  the  old  Pine  Tree  Flag  of  Colonial  Massachu¬ 
setts,  with  the  word  and  the  date, — 

PLYMOUTH  ! 

1620. 

/ 

From  each  medallion  waved  a  heavy  flag,  with  silver  stars 
on  a  ground  of  azure. 


TREMONT  STREET. 

On  reaching  Tremont  street,  the  Albion  Hotel,  richly  dec¬ 
orated,  first  attracted  the  attention  of  the  spectator.  From 
it  lines  of  flags  of  different  nations  were  stretched  in  various 
directions,  and  festoons  of  streamers  were  arranged  across  its 
front.  Along  the  balustrade,  commencing  on  Beacon  street 
was  the  following  inscription  : 

GRAND  RAILROAD  AND  STEAMBOAT  JUBILEE. 

BOSTON,  SEPTEMBER  17tH,  18tH,  19tH,  1851. 

[Two  hands  interlocked.] 

WE  GREET  OUR  FRIENDS. 

BOSTON,  1630.  BOSTON,  1851. 

OUR  MARCH  IS  ONWARD. 

The  Museum  building  was  beautifully  decorated  with  al¬ 
most  numberless  flags  of  various  nations,  and  streamers  in 
great  profusion.  Across  the  street  in  front  were  several  large 
flags,  and  from  the  staffs  which  surmount  the  building,  lines 
of  the  same  graceful  drapery  were  extended  to  the  corners. 
The  display,  generally,  at  this  point  was  very  good. 

15 


114 


COURT  STREET. 

Across  Court  street,  at  the  head  of  Hanover,  the  City 
Guards  threw  out  a  medallion  bearing  their  name,  and  flanked 
on  either  side  by  American  flags.  From  Chilson’s  Block  to 
the  house  opposite,  was  extended  a  line  of  English  and  Amer¬ 
ican  flags,  festooned  with  streamers,  and  connected  together 
by  a  band  bearing  the  following  couplet : 

“  Thus,  with  the  glorious  Stars  forever  bright, 

Shine,  radiant  Cross ,  in  undivided  light.” 

BOWDOIN  SQUARE. 

Next  came  the  Revere  House,  whose  tasteful  decorations 
have  already  been  described  as  amongst  those  which  added 
so  much  to  the  attractiveness  of  the  scene  on  the  occasion  of 
the  President’s  arrival. 

In  the  square,  however,  other  flags  and  streamers  had  been 
suspended,  which  added  much  to  the  beauty  of  the  show. 

CAMBRIDGE  AND  HANCOCK  STREETS. 

Passing  down  Cambridge  street,  as  the  eye  wandered  up 
Hancock  street,  it  was  greeted  with  a  fine  display.  At  differ¬ 
ent  places  were  American  and  English  flags  floating  in  friendly 
union.  The  front  of  Dr.  Bigelow’s  residence,  besides  support¬ 
ing  lines  of  flags  which  extended  across  the  street,  was  very 
tastefully  decorated  with  red,  blue  and  white  pennons,  in  the 
centre  of  which  was  the  inscription, — 

HAIL  TO  OUR  city’s  NOBLE  GUESTS. 

At  the  junction  of  Cambridge  and  Chambers  streets  there 
was  a  very  profuse  display  of  flags,  marine  signals,  streamers, 
and  other  gay  bunting. 

CHAMBERS  STREET. 

In  Chambers  street,  the  residences  of  Rev.  Dr.  Barrett  and 
Newell  Harding,  Esq.  were  tastefully  festooned.  In  front  of 
the  residence  of  Mr.  George  Cook  a  very  neat  arch  was 
formed  with  American  and  English  flags,  in  the  centre  of 
which  was  placed  a  portrait  of  Queen  Victoria.  The  house 


115 

•  \ 

was  also  decorated  with  a  complete  set  of  Marryatt’s  signals. 
The  portico  of  the  block  opposite,  occupied  by  Messrs.  Prince, 
J.  Powle,  and  G.  W.  Lewis,  was  also  very  prettily  trimmed. 
On  the  corner  of  Cambridge  and  Eaton  streets,  the  house 
of  Mr.  Edwin  A.  Raymond  was  well  decorated.  Mr.  Ray¬ 
mond  very  tastefully  introduced  into  his  decorations  a  fine 
engraving  of  Washington.  Flags  across  the  street  completed 
the  display  at  this  point. 

PITTS  STREET. 

In  Pitts  street,  in  front  of  the  houses  of  Messrs.  Brewster, 
Knight,  Elliot,  Sibley,  Cheever  and  Barry,  were  several  lines 
of  flags  and  streamers.  Across  the  street  was  an  American 
flag,  bearing  the  motto, — 

OUR  GUESTS  AND  OUR  COUNTRY. 

The  fronts  of  Nos.  4,  5,  and  29,  were  also  decorated. 

HAYMARKET  SQUARE. 

Haymarket  square  and  the  Depot  of  the  Boston  and  Maine 
Railroad,  were  profusely  ornamented  with  flags  and  streamers. 
Across  the  entrance  of  the  Square  from  Union  street,  was  dis¬ 
played,  in  large  letters,  the  word, — 

welcome  ! 

BLACKSTONE  STREET. 

Along  Blackstone  street,  between  Haymarket  square  and 
Hanover  street,  there  were  several  lines  of  flags.  In  Han¬ 
over  street,  in  front  of  the  printing  office  of  G.  C.  Jenks,  No. 
86,  were  displayed  two  banners,  each  twenty-five  feet  in 
length.  On  one  of  them  was  printed,  in  large  letters,  the 
word, — 

OREGON. 

suggestive  of  that  prodigious  embryo,  the  great  Pacific  Rail¬ 
road.  On  the  other, — 

HARVEST. 

significant  not  only  of  the  beautiful  season,  but  of  the  boun¬ 
tiful  fruit  now  yielded  to  the  city  by  the  network  of  railways 


116 


spread  over  the  State.  Crossing  Hanover,  a  very  brilliant 
show  was  made  of  the  American,  English  and  French  flags. 
Suspended  across  the  street  was  the  following  motto : 

11  BIEN-VENU,  CAMARADES.” 

The  fronts  of  Nos.  50  and  52  were  abundantly  trimmed. 
Messrs.  Parker  &  White,  Benjamin  Wilder,  Field,  Converse  & 
Co.,  Wm.  Lovejoy  &  Co.,  O.  H.  Underhill,  and  Tuttle  & 
Higbee,  also  decorated  their  several  premises.  The  New 
England  House  was  well  trimmed,  and  also  threw  across  the 
street  a  line  of  flags,  the  central  one  of  which  bore  the  in¬ 
scription, — 

WE  WELCOME  OUR  PRESIDENT. 

CLINTON  STREET. 

In  Clinton  street  there  was  a  large  exhibition  of  American 

'j  ,  •' 

flags  and  streamers.  Reed  &  Wade’s  store  was  tastefully 
decorated.  A  bronze  bust  of  the  Hon.  Daniel  Webster  oc¬ 
cupied  the  middle  window  of  the  second  story,  immedi¬ 
ately  below  the  other  windows  of  which,  were  models  of 
clipper  ships.  Among  the  many  flags  across  the  street  was  one 
which  showed  unequivocal  evidence  of  having  seen  service. 

COMMERCIAL  STREET. 

Across  Commercial  street,  from  the  Eastern  end  of  Faneuil 
Hall  Market  to  the  opposite  building,  was  a  line  of  American 
flags.  In  the  centre  was  a  large  spread  eagle,  admirably  carv¬ 
ed  in  wood,  and  gilded.  At  this  point  the  members  of  the 
procession  caught  a  glimpse  of  a  portion  of  the  shipping  in 
the  harbor,  which  was  profusely  and  gaily  decorated  with 
flags,  pennons,  streamers,  and  other  characteristic  bunting, 
adding  much  to  the  brilliancy  of  the  spectacle  ;  while  on 
the  other  side,  was  Faneuil  Hall  Market,  whose  interior 
presented  a  beautiful  appearance.  Along  the  passage-way, 
on  either  side,  was  one  continuous  line  of  streamers,  of  vari¬ 
ous  colors,  festooned  and  blended  together  with  much  taste. 
At  the  various  entrances  these  lines  of  streamers  were  inter¬ 
sected  with  the  American  flag,  arranged  in  graceful  arches. 
Several  of  the  stalls  were  also  trimmed  with  good  taste.  I)i- 


117 


rectly  under  the  clock  in  the  centre  of  the  Market,  were  the 
following  inscriptions  : — 

“  OUR  COUNTRY  I  IN  ALL  THAT  IS  GOOD,  LET  ITS  COURSE  BE 

ONWARD.” 

On  the  reverse, 

OUR  NATION  AS  IT  IS  :  OUR  MARKET  AS  IT  WAS. 

SOUTH  MARKET  STREET. 

The  long  block  of  granite  buildings  on  the  South  side  of 
South  Market  street  was  ornamented  with  a  rich  profusion 
of  flags  and  streamers.  The  proprietors  of  “  Quincy  Hall,” 
also  made  an  excellent  display. 

STATE  STREET. 

State  street  at  its  junction  with  Merchants’  row,  looked 
very  finely.  Not  only  was  there  an  abundance  of  flags,  but 
they  were  tastefully  arranged.  Nos.  87,  89  and  91,  looked 
exceedingly  well.  In  front  of  the  Merchants’  Exchange  was 
a  line  of  beautiful  banners.  In  this  building  are  the  offices 
of  the  Ogdensburg  and  Rutland  Railroads,  the  completion 
of  which  was,  in  so  large  a  measure,  the  occasion  of  the  cele¬ 
bration.  Very  appropriately  therefore,  the  Directors  of  these 
roads  exhibited,  drawn  across  the  street,  a  very  large  map  on 
which  were  represented  the  New  England  States,  New  York, 
Ohio,  Pennsylvania  and  Upper  Canada,  with  Lakes  Ontario, 
Erie,  and  Huron.  On  the  map  were  traced  the  different  lines 
of  railroads  which  have  been  constructed,  and  at  the  bottom 
of  it  was  the  inscription  : — 

THE  WEST  AND  CANADA  TO  BOSTON,  VIA  OGDENSBURG,  VERMONT 
CENTRAL,  AND  RUTLAND  AND  BURLINGTON  RAILROADS. 

From  the  Old  State  House,  flags  were  suspended  across 
the  street  on  each  side  of  the  building.  On  the  north  side, 
the  fronts  of  Redding  &  Co’s,  store,  the  Journal  office,  and 
Eastburn’s  printing  office,  looked  very  finely.  The  telegraph 
station  on  the  top  of  the  building  was  trimmed  with  the 
usual  good  taste  of  its  proprietors,  and  presented  a  fine  appear¬ 
ance.  The  Traveller,  Bee,  and  Times  offices  on  the  south 


118 


side,  were  ornamented  with  flags  and  pennons.  In  one  of  the 
windows  of  the  “  Bee  ”  building  was  a  medallion,  bearing 
this  inscription  : — 

THE  people’s  PRESS  PAYS  HOMAGE  TO  THE  PEOPLE’S 

PRESIDENT. 

In  front  of  the  Times  office,  across  the  street,  was  a  large 
American  flag,  bearing  the  words  : — 

WELCOME  !  CANADIANS. 

Above  the  portico  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  Old  State 
House,  was  erected  a  grand  triumphal  arch,  on  which  was 
inscribed  the  words  : — 

11  LIBERTY,  EQUALITY,  FRATERNITY.” 

WASHINGTON  STREET. 

On  Washington  street,  in  front  of  Adams  &  Co’s.  Express 

office,  was  a  very  large  American  flag,  flanked  by  smaller 
ones,  and  bearing  these  inscriptions  : — 

“  No  pent  up  Utica  contracts  our  powers — 

The  whole  unbounded  Continent  is  ours.” 

On  the  reverse,  the  words  of  Puck, — 

“we’ll  put  a  girdle  round  the  earth  in  forty  minutes.” 

The  fronts  of  Nos.  107  and  109  were  fittingly  decorated. 
In  front  of  No.  129,  was  displayed  in  large  letters,  the  word 

WELCOME  ! 

The  occupants  of  Nos.  129,  134  and  136,  displayed  good 
taste  in  decorating  their  several  buildings.  In  a  window  in 
front  of  No.  162,  mounted  upon  a  pedestal,  was  a  bust  of  Wash¬ 
ington. 

In  front  of  Thomas  J.  Atkins’  store,  was  a  miniature  statue 
of  Samuel  Adams.  James  G.  Hovey’s  store  was  also  tastefully 
ornamented.  Shorey  &  Co.  made  a  very  liberal  display  of 
streamers.  The  front  of  No.  176  was  covered  with  American 
flags,  very  handsomely  arranged.  From  a  window  in  the 
second  story,  projected  a  balustrade,  which  was  hung  with 
streamers  ;  in  the  centre  of  it,  was  a  very  handsome  gilt 


119 


vase,  filled  with  flowers,  and  on  each  corner,  an  alabaster 
lion.  The  display  here  was  very  fine.  Tucker  &  Brothers’ 
store,  the  China  tea  building,  Wheelock  &  Wells,  and  A. 
Kinsley’s  store,  were  well  decorated.  From  the  armory  of 
the  Boston  Light  Infantry,  floated  the  Stars  and  Stripes.  At 
the  head  of  Summer  street,  a  line  of  flags  and  streamers 
combined  in  excellent  taste,  extended  across  Washington 
street.  Across  the  street,  from  No.  348  to  No.  401,  was  a 
plain  white  flag,  bearing  the  inscription, 

BOSTON  AND  CANADA  UNITED, 

1851. 

From  the  Liberty  Tree  Block  to  Boylston  Market,  waved 
a  line  of  flags,  with  the  inscription  : — 

MAGNA  CHARTA  AND  THE  DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE. 

On  the  reverse  : 

11  ON  EARTH,  PEACE  AND  GOOD  WILL.” 

From  William  Brown’s  drug  store,  on  the  corner  of  Eliot 
street,  were  suspended  the  words, 

WE  WELCOME  YOU  ALL. 

Mr.  Matthews’  store,  No.  507,  bore  on  its  front,  the  mottoes  : 

ENGLAND  AND  AMERICA. 

PERPETUAL  PEACE. 

THE  QUEEN, - THE  PRESIDENT. 

The  balustrade  above,  was  gracefully  festooned,  and  had 
in  its  centre  an  excellent  bust  of  President  Fillmore'.  Building 
No.  563,  was  decorated  in  front,  and  had  a  line  of  colors  across 
the  street.  The  balustrades  of  Nos.  322,  324,  326  and  328, 
were  covered  with  flags  and  streamers,  and  filled  with  ladies. 
The  occupants  of  the  fine  block  on  the  south  easterly  corner  of 
Washington  street  and  Indiana  place,  did  well  their  part. 
Upon  an  American  flag  across  the  street,  in  front  of  the  build¬ 
ing,  was  the  noble  inscription  : — 

“  THE  UNION  NOW  AND  FOREVER,  ONE  AND  INSEPARABLE.” 

and  along  the  balustrade, 

THE  UNION  AND  THE  CONSTITUTION,  THE  TWO  GREAT  LIGHTS 
IN  THE  AMERICAN  FIRMAMENT. 


120 


Over  the  entrance  to  Orange  street,  was  a  very  happy 
design.  An  iron  arch  was  prettily  trimmed  with  the  Ameri¬ 
can  flag  and  streamers.  Beneath  the  crown  of  the  arch  was 
a  shield,  surmounted  by  a  small  gilt  eagle.  Underneath  was 
the  inscription, 

A  HEARTY  WELCOME  TO  ALL. 

On  the  right,  surrounded  by  stars  : 

u  UNITED  WE  STAND.” 

On  the  left : 

PEACE. 

The  building  on  the  corner  of  Castle  street,  was  very  pret¬ 
tily  festooned — as  were  also  Nos.  665  and  667. 

DOVER  STREET. 

Dover  street  far  eclipsed  all  others  in  the  beauty  and  extent 
of  its  decorations.  Along  its  entire  length,  on  both  sides,  the 
buildings  were  hung  with  streamers,  grouped  together  with 
rosettes  and  wreaths  of  flowers  and  evergreens — while  from 
the  windows  and  across  the  street  were  thrown  out  innumer¬ 
able  flags  of  various  nations,  at  short  intervals  between  which, 
mottoes  were  suspended.  The  first  one,  near  the  head  of  the 
street,  was 

WELCOME  !  PRESIDENT  FILLMORE. 

On  each  side  of  this,  were  the  American  and  English  flags. 
Along  the  balustrade  of  the  handsome  block  of  swelled 
front  buildings,  on  the  right  hand  side,  were  the  names  of 
the  Presidents,  from  Washington  to  Taylor,  in  ornamented 
letters.  Directly  over  the  entrance  to  No.  80,  between  the 
names  of  J.  Q,.  Adams,  and  Monroe,  was  the  inscription  : — 

RAILROADS  MAKE  US  ONE. 

Over  the  entrance  to  No.  82,  was  inscribed, 

u  THE  UNION  FOREVER.” 

In  front  of  No.  73,  opposite,  was  displayed  the  motto, 

OUR  GUESTS  FROM  THE  BRITISH  SOIL. 

WE  BID  THEM  WELCOME 
TO  YANKEE  LAND. 


121 


and  from  a  window  a  medallion  bust  of  Fillmore,  surrounded 
by  a  wreath  of  flowers.  The  second  display  across  the  street 
consisted  of  a  representation  of  a  steam  engine,  under  full 
headway,  around  which  were  the  following  inscriptions. 

On  the  right : — 

THE  GREAT  PEACE  MAKER. 

On  the  left  : — 

STEAM  POWER,  ONE  OF  THE  POWERS  THAT  BE. 

Underneath  : — 

THOMAS  BLANCHARD  BUILT  A  STEAM  CARRIAGE  1825. 

PETITION  FOR  A  RAILROAD  1826.  THE  FIRST  IN  AMERICA. 

In  front  of  No.  69,  was  displayed  the  honored  name  of 

LAFAYETTE. 

On  the  end  of  the  building  at  the  corner  of  South  Suffolk 
street,  were  suspended  in  gilt  letters,  in  the  form  of  an  arch, 
the  words, — 

LIVERPOOL,  HALIFAX,  BOSTON. 

Just  below  Suffolk  street,  across  Dover  street,  were  full- 
length  portraits  of  President  Fillmore  and  Lord  Elgin  shaking 
hands,  and  underneath,  this  inscription  : — 

“Now  let  us  haste  these  bonds  to  knit, 

And  in  the  work  be  handy, 

That  we  may  blend  ‘  God  save  the  Queen,’ 

With  ‘Yankee  Doodle  Dandy!”’ 

On  the  right  of  the  President  was  the  American  eagle  sur¬ 
rounded  by  gilt  stars,  and  surmounted  by  the  word, — • 

FULTON. 

And  on  the  left  of  Lord  Elgin,  the  Lion  and  Unicorn,  sur¬ 
mounted  with  the  name  of, — 

WATT. 

The  other  banners  across  the  street  were  as  follows ; — 

WELCOME  TO  OUR  GUESTS  FROM  THE  BRITISH  PROVINCES  AND  OUR 

SISTER  STATES. 


16 


A  chain  of  three  links  was  surrounded  by  the  words, 

MONTREAL,  BOSTON  AND  HALIFAX. 

Other  flags  bore  the  mottoes  : 

COMMERCE. 

AGRICULTURE. 

MECHANIC  ARTS. 

CUNARD. 

And  on  the  last  was  a  representation  of  the  cities  of  Mon¬ 
treal  and  Boston,  with  this  inscription  : — 

MONTREAL  AND  BOSTON — UNITED  WE  PROSPER. 

Along  the  right  side  of  the  street,  below  Suffolk  street, 
were  the  names  of  Franklin  and  the  several  Mayors  of 
the  city — Phillips,  Quincy,  Otis,  Wells,  Lyman,  Armstrong, 
Eliot,  Chapman,  Brimmer,  Davis,  Quincy,  Jr.,  and  Bige¬ 
low.  Across  Emerald  street  was  erected  a  large  platform, 
covered  with  the  American  and  British  flags,  and  on  which 
were  thirty-three  beautiful  girls,  thirty-one  of  whom  were 
dressed  in  white,  and  had  upon  their  heads  wreaths  of  splendid 
flowers.  They  were  intended  to  represent  the  different 
States,  and  each  wore  a  sash  with  the  name  of  the  State 
which  she  represented  upon  it.  Each  bore  also  in  her  right 
hand  a  small  American  flag.  In  the  centre  of  these  young 
ladies  was  a  fair  daughter  of  our  city,  dressed  in  regal  style, 
and  wearing  upon  her  head  a  golden  crown,  the  front  of 
which  sparkled  with  diamonds.  She  was  intended  to  per¬ 
sonate  Queen  Victoria.  On  the  extreme  right  of  the  platform 
was  a  young  lady  who  personated  Massachusetts.  The 
whole  affair  was  most  tastefully  arranged,  and  presented  a 
beautiful  appearance.  The  young  ladies  upon  the  platform 
were  all  residents  of  Dover  street,  and,  most  of  them,  pupils 
of  the  Franklin  School. 

As  the  carriages  which  contained  the  members  of  the  Cabi- 
net  and  Lord  Elgin  successively  approached  the  platform, 
the  young  ladies  commenced  singing  the  beautiful  song 
“  New  England,”  and  continued  to  do  so  until  the  carriages 


123 

were  directly  in  front,  when  Miss  Carey,  who  personated  the 
Queen,  descended  from  the  platform,  and,  escorted  by  Mr. 
John  D.  Philbrick,  the  master  of  the  Quincy  School,  pro¬ 
ceeded  to  the  carriage  appropriated  to  the  President  and  his 
Cabinet.  She  held  in  her  hand  a  beautiful  bouquet,  which 
she  had  designed  to  present  to  the  President, — but,  in  his 
absence,  Mr.  Secretary  Stuart  rose  to  receive  it.  She  accom¬ 
panied  the  offering  of  the  bouquet  with  the  following  appro¬ 
priate  remarks :  — 

“  Mr.  President, — 

“I  am  happy  to  meet  you  under  circumstances  which  exhibit 
in  so  striking  a  manner  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  your 
country,  and  the  harmony  and  good  feeling  which  exist  among 
the  people  of  the  nation  over  whose  interests  you  preside.” 

To  this  Mr.  Secretary  Stuart  replied  :  — 

“I  am  very  happy  to  receive  this  beautiful  bouquet  in  the 
name  of  the  President.  We  regret  exceedingly  that  he  is  not 
here  in  person  to  receive  it.” 

The  “  Queen  ”  returned  to  her  place,  and  then  Miss  Paxton, 
representing  Massachusetts,  was  escorted  to  the  carriage 
containing  Lord  Elgin,  to  whom  she  presented  a  fine  bouquet, 
with  this  address  :  — ■ 

“  Massachusetts  welcomes  to  the  hospitality  of  her  metropolis, 
with  cordial  salutation,  the  distinguished  Chief  Magistrate  of  Her 
Majesty’s  Provinces  in  North  America.” 

To  this  his  Lordship  replied  in  substance  as  follows :  — 

u  I  shall  preserve  this  as  a  token  of  the  kindness  and  hospi¬ 
tality  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts  and  the  city  of  Boston.” 

Loud  cheers  were  then  given  for  Queen  Victoria,  for  Lord 
Elgin,  and  for  the  Canadas.  In  response,  the  Viceroy  called 
for  cheers  for  the  President  and  for  Massachusetts.  Other 
cheers  followed  for  Mr.  Webster  and  others.  A  little  further 
on,  Lord  Elgin,  holding  up  his  beautiful  bouquet  to  the 
crowd  around  him,  said  : — 


“  I  received  this  from  a  fair  representative  of  the  State  of 
Massachusetts,  and  shall  keep  it  as  a  memorial  of  her.” 

This  pleasing  incident  of  the  procession  will  not  soon  be 
forgotten  by  those  who  witnessed  it. 

In  front  of  No.  33  was  the  inscription : — 

Bless  the  Power  that  has  made  and  preserved  us  a 

Nation. 

A  very  neat  steel  engraving  of  Lord  Elgin  was  suspended 
over  the  entrance  to  this  building.  Over  the  entrance  to  No. 
26,  was  a  banner  with  the  inscription : — 

“  Knowledge  is  Power.” 

In  front  of  No.  23,  was  the  motto  : — 

“  The  Schoolmaster  is  Abroad.” 

The  brick  block  Nos.  6,  8,  10  and  12,  looked  very  finely. 
Along  the  balustrade  in  front  were  the  words : — 

Britannia  and  Columbia. 

Perhaps  no  part  of  the  city  presented  at  any  time  a  more 
beautiful  and  animating  sight  than  that  which  delighted  the 
eye,  as  the  procession  was  moving  through  Dover  street ;  nor 
was  the  hospitality  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  street,  so  far  as 
there  was  opportunity  of  exercising  it,  less  striking. 

tremont  street. 

From  the  corner  of  Dover  street  to  the  Johnson  School 
House  there  were  no  very  conspicuous  decorations,  though 
there  was  the  usual  number  and  variety  of  flags.  At  the 
Johnson  School  House,  however,  a  very  attractive  scene  was 
presented. 

In  consequence  of  the  tender  age  of  the  pupils  belonging 
to  the  Primary  Schools,  they  took  no  public  part  in  the  cele¬ 
bration.  But  the  public  spirit  of  Dr.  J.  Odin,  the  Chairman 
of  District  No.  13,  had  caused  a  platform  to  be  erected  over 


the  area  in  front  of  the  above  named  school  house,  upon 
which  were  arrayed  two  or  three  hundred  of  the  Primary 
School  children  of  that  District,  from  four  to  eight  years  of 
age,  accompanied  by  their  teachers.  The  platform  was 
handsomely  ornamented,  and  directly  behind  the  children 
was  a  line  of  flags,  bearing  the  words  : — 

Welcome!  our  President! 


Along  the  front  of  the  fence  was  the  inscription,  in  large 
letters : — 


Primary  Schools. 


On  the  right, 

No.  of  Schools,  189. 

On  the  left, 


No.  of  Pupils,  12,110. 

And  over  the  children, 

Here  are  our  Jewels. 

One  of  the  boys  held  a  banner,  on  which  was  inscribed : — • 
“  Tall  oaks  from  little  acorns  grow.” 


When  the  carriage  which  contained  Secretaries  Stewart 
and  Conrad  came  opposite  this  point,  a  little  girl  was  carried 
to  it  in  the  arms  of  a  gentleman,  and  presented  to  Secre¬ 
tary  Stewart  a  beautiful  bouquet,  saying  to  him 

“  Will  you,  Sir,  request  the  President  to  accept  this  bouquet 
from  the  Primary  School  children  of  Boston  ?  ” 

The  Secretary,  in  the  kindest  manner,  and  with  that 
benignity  which  won  all  hearts  while  he  was  here,  assured 
her  that  he  would. 

As  the  carriage  of  the  Earl  passed  this  point,  the  same 
little  girl,  with  childlike  courtesy,  presented  him,  too,  with 
a  bouquet,  as  an  offering  from  her  little  companions.  His 
Lordship  received  the  blushing  child  with  a  fatherly  kind¬ 
ness  which  it  is  hoped  she  may  long  live  to  remember. 


126 


In  front  of  the  Winthrop  House,  and  overhanging  the 
street,  was  a  large  map  of  the  United  States  and  the  Canadas, 
in  the  upper  corners  of  which  were  interwoven  the  Union 
Jack  and  the  Stars  and  Stripes.  On  the  map  were  these 
inscriptions : — 

The  Canadas. 

(A  pair  of  hands  interlocked.) 

And, 

The  United  States  of  America, 

From  Ocean’s  Wave  to  Ocean’s  Wave. 

Perpetual  Peace  and  Friendship. 

This  was  almost  the  last  of  the  prominent  decorations  with 
which  the  buildings  along  the  whole  route  of  the  procession 
had  been  so  liberally  provided,  and  which  contributed  so 
materially  to  throw  over  the  whole  scene  an  air  of  gaiety 
and  beauty,  constituting  its  peculiar  attraction. 

On  reaching  the  foot  of  Park  street,  the  procession  turned 
into  the  Mall,  and  passed  through  the  long  files  of  children 
extending  the  whole  length  of  the  Malls  on  Park,  Beacon 
and  Charles  streets,  to  the  Boylston  street  gate,  where  it 
passed  out  and  was  dismissed. 

Through  the  efficient  and  cheerful  co-operation  of  the  mas¬ 
ters  and  pupils  of  the  schools,  the  arrangements  of  the  Com¬ 
mittee  of  the  School  Board  were  carried  out  with  eminent 
success ;  and  a  delegation  of  about  five  thousand  pupils  of 
both  sexes  were  presented  to  the  view  of  the  guests  of  the 
city,  as  the  representatives  of  nearly  twenty-five  thousand 
in  the  Public  Schools  of  Boston. 

The  appearance  of  this  array  of  intelligent  and  happy 
boys  and  girls,  extending  more  than  a  mile,  could  not  fail  to 
make,  upon  every  reflecting  mind,  a  deep  and  most  delightful 
impression.  Here,  by  the  pupils  of  her  Free  Schools,  was 
represented  the  chief  glory  of  the  city.  Here  were  some  of 
the  fruits  of  that  system  which,  from  the  earliest  period 
of  her  settlement,  has  ever  been,  as  now,  the  chief  object  of 
her  fostering  care  ;  which  has  given  to  her  enterprise  and 
industry,  success  and  prosperity,  and  crowned  her  with  a 


127 


name,  of  which  she  may  well  be  proud.  So  long  as  this 
name  shall  continue  to  be  deserved,  and  this  glory  rightly 
claimed, — so  long  may  her  sons  repeat,  in  faith  and  hope, 
the  prayer  engraved  on  the  City’s  seal — “  Sici:t  Patribus 
sit  Deus  nobis.” 

The  enthusiasm  with  which  the  distinguished  guests  of 
the  city  were  received  by  this  portion  of  the  “  Standing 
Army”  of  New  England,  excited,  in  a  high  degree,  their 
surprise  and  wonder,  and  called  from  them  frequent  and 
strong  expressions  of  gratification  at  this  peculiar  and  beau¬ 
tiful  feature  in  their  reception. 

To  Lord  Elgin  and  his  Suite,  and  to  the  members  of  the 
United  States’  Government,  as  they  passed  through  the  line, 
offerings  of  flowers  were  made  by  the  young  misses  repre¬ 
senting  the  first  classes  of  many  of  the  schools ;  while  the 
boys,  by  their  animated  looks  and  hearty  cheers,  gave  abun¬ 
dant  testimony  of  the  warmth  of  their  feelings,  and  of  the 
pleasure  they  took  in  uniting  their  voices  to  the  general 
welcome,  and  in  offering  their  tokens  of  honor  and  respect 
to  those  whom  their  fathers  had  so  cordially  received. 

As  her  system  of  public  instruction  has  ever  been  con¬ 
sidered  as  the  foundation  of  the  prosperity  of  the  city,  and 
as  giving  life,  energy  and  direction  to  all  the  industrial 
pursuits  of  her  people,  there  would  seem  to  he  a  peculiar 
appropriateness  in  introducing,  in  this  connection,  some 
account  of  the  exhibition,  made  by  her  artizans,  of  the  pro¬ 
ducts  of  their  labor  and  skill, — an  exhibition  which  consti¬ 
tuted  the  most  prominent,  as  well  as  the  most  attractive, 
feature  of  the  procession.  But  of  the  character  of  the  dis¬ 
play  mention  has  already  been  made,  though  no  notice  was 
taken  of  the  fact,  which  should  not  be  overlooked,  that  only 
about  ten  days  had  elapsed  from  the  time  when  it  was  decided 
that  such  a  display  should  be  made,  and  the  preparations  for 
it  were  begun,  to  the  day  when  all  things  were  in  readiness 
for  the  procession.  Had  more  time  been  taken,  the  beauty 
and  variety  of  the  exhibition — beautiful  and  varied  as  it  was — 
would,  probably,  have  been  greatly  increased. 

It  will  readily  be  conceived  that  any  account  which 


128 


should  be  drawn  up  during  the  march  of  the  procession,  must 
be  exceedingly  imperfect ;  and  yet,  upon  such,  chiefly,  is  the 
following  description  based.  In  the  hurry  and  confusion 
incident  to  such  an  occasion,  many  exhibitions  were  but 
slightly  noticed,  and  some  not  even  mentioned.  To  supply 
these  deficiencies,  and  to  ensure,  if  possible,  a  full  and  accu¬ 
rate  description,  notice  was  given,  through  the  public  papers, 
of  the  desire  of  the  City  Government  that,  in  the  official 
account  of  the  Celebration,  this  feature  of  it  should  be 
prominently  noticed,  and  inviting  those  interested  to  fur¬ 
nish  all  such  information  as  they  might  possess  which  would 
conduce  to  this  end.  In  consequence  of  this  call,  several 
valuable  communications  were  received,  which  have  aided 
much  in  giving  fulness  to  the  description ;  yet,  with  all 
these  aids,  and  with  all  the  effort  that  has  been  made  to 
render  it  in  some  measure  worthy  of  the  reality,  it  is  still  by 
no  means  such  as  the  beauty  and  magnitude  of  the  display — 
so  honorable  alike  to  the  mechanics  and  the  city — justly 
demanded. 

To  those  who  were  the  delighted  spectators  of  the  “  Pro¬ 
cession  of  Trades,”  the  inadequacy  of  the  following  account 
will  be  readily  apparent ;  to  others,  it  may  serve  to  convey 
some,  though  at  best  but  a  faint,  idea  of  its  most  striking 
features. 

This  Division  of  the  procession  consisted  of  about  fifty 
Sections,  each  representing  some  particular  branch  of  indus¬ 
try.  The  position  of  each  Section  in  the  line  was  deter¬ 
mined  by  lot,  and  many  of  them  were  under  the  direction 
of  marshals  of  their  own  choice.  The  whole  Division  was 
under  the  direction  of 

Granville  Mears,  Esq.,  Chief  Marshal. 

Aids.  Aids. 

Joseph  M.  Wightman,  H.  J.  Richardson, 

Frederic  W.  Lincoln,  Jr.,  F.  W.  Winship, 

J.  W.  Leavitt,  J.  W.  Bradford. 

John  P.  Ober,  Jr., 


129 


At  the  head  of  the  “  exposition  ”  of  the  Trades  was  a  fine 
model,  in  plaster,  of  Stephenson’s  “  Wounded  Indian,”  borne 
on  an  appropriately  decorated  platform ;  after  which  fol¬ 
lowed,  in  the  order  of  the  programme,  as  established  by  lot, 
manufacturers  of  the  following  articles  : 

STEEL  TRAPS  AND  WROUGHT  IRON  HINGES. 

Fifteen  different  patterns  of  steel  traps,  and  as  many  varie¬ 
ties  of  wrought  iron  hinges,  were  shown  by  Mr.  J.  Watkins, 
of  Roxbury. 

TRUNKS,  HARNESSES  AND  SADDLERY. 

Mr.  H.  Cross,  of  this  city,  had  a  wagon  filled  with  fine 
specimens  of  saddlery.  Heavy  festoons  of  white  and  red, 
from  the  top  of  his  vehicle,  had  a  pleasing  effect.  Mr.  E.  A. 
G.  Roulstone  had  a  similar  display.  His  wagon  was  draped 
with  the  American  colors.  A  display  from  Mr.  Baker’s  sad¬ 
dlery  store,  in  Court  street,  was  noticed  as  exceedingly  neat 
and  tasteful. 


BRONZE  AND  ORNAMENTAL  IRON  WORK. 

In  bronze  and  ornamental  iron  work,  the  specimens  of 
Chase  Brothers  &  Co.  attracted  particular  attention.  In  the 
front,  the  bronzed  sleeping  lions,  which  were  most  admirably 
designed,  were  much  admired.  Between  and  over  these 
stood  a  silver  eagle,  with  extended  wings,  grasping  a  golden 
globe  in  his  talons.  A  rich  and  heavy  roll  of  evergreens, 
with  flowers  interwreathed,  was  suspended  over  them ;  and, 
on  an  arch  above,  were  the  words — 

WE  ARE  NEIGHBORS  AND  FRIENDS. 

Our  national  banner,  and  the  red  cross  of  St.  George, 
floated  above  the  whole.  Amongst  the  various  objects  of 
interest,  was  a  metallic  cast  of  a  Newfoundland  dog.  On  the 
end  of  the  wagon,  was  the  motto — 

“  PAX  ET  AMICITIA  IN  PERPETUO  !  ” 

HATTERS. 

The  journeymen  hatters  made  a  fine  display  in  a  large 
wagon,  (furnished  by  Gilson  &,  Evans,)  which  bore  a  neat 

17 


130 


shop,  in  full  operation,  and  presenting  a  busy  appearance — 
several  girls  taking  a  prominent  part  in  the  work.  The 
procession  which  followed  was  a  very  full  one,  and  bore  a 
banner,  inscribed  with  the  words — 

THE  nATTERS. 

BOSTON,  SEPTEMBER  19TH,  1851. 

On  the  reverse — 

WE  CROWN  THE  HEADS  OF  THE  SOVEREIGN  PEOPLE. 

TURNERS. 

Messrs.  Coolidge  &  Moore,  No.  15  Hawley  street,  furnished 
a  car,  containing  a  turning  lathe  and  fret  sawing  machine  in 
operation.  The  car  was  inclosed  by  a  turned  railing,  and 
otherwise  decorated  with  many  handsome  articles  peculiar  to 
the  craft. 

INDIA  RUBBER  GOODS. 

George  H.  Hale  &  Co.,  of  Bromfield  street,  exhibited  speci¬ 
mens  of  the  almost  endless  variety  of  rubber  goods  manu¬ 
factured  by  them ;  among  which  were  machine  banding, 
every  description  of  water-proof  clothing,  air  pillows,  life 
preservers,  sub-marine  dresses,  gun  cases,  and  drinking  cups. 
Their  articles  were  well  arranged,  and  showed  to  much 
advantage ;  giving  new  evidence,  if  that  were  wanted,  of 
the  numberless  uses  to  which  india  rubber  is  now  applied. 

EXPRESS  MEN. 

The  exhibition  made  by  the  Express  men  was  as  attractive 
as  it  was  unexpected,  and  furnished  a  striking  illustration  of 
the  extent  to  which  their  business  is  carried.  Their  sub¬ 
stantial  but  handsome  wagons  were  drawn  by  noble  looking 
horses  in  elegant  harnesses,  and  were  filled  with  boxes,  bales 
and  parcels,  so  arranged  as  to  indicate,  by  their  conspicu¬ 
ously  written  directions,  the  prominent  places  in  the  route  of 
each  Express.  The  Expresses  represented  were  Adams  & 
Co.’s,  with  boxes  marked  “  San  Francisco,  California,”  “  Phil¬ 
adelphia,”  &c. ;  Hamden’s;  Kinsley  &  Co.’s;  Thompson  &, 
Co.’s  Western  Express,  with  boxes  and  bundles  marked 
“Albany,”  “Buffalo,”  &c. ;  Leonard’s  Worcester  Express; 


131 


Longley  &  Co.'s  Eastern  Express,  with  packages  marked 
“Portland;”  and  Carpenter  &  Co.’s,  and  Hodgman  Co.’s, 
with  wagons  filled  with  freight  for  places  on  the  Kennebec 
and  Penobscot  rivers.  Hamden’s  Express  displayed  a  banner, 
with  the  words — - 

THE  FIRST  EXPRESS  IN  AMERICA; 

it  having  been  established,  in  1834,  by  the  late  William  H. 
Harnden,  Esq.,  the  enterprising  pioneer  of  the  present  system 
of  Expresses. 

IRON  PIPES. 

The  iron  pipes,  though  not  so  attractive  as  the  other  parts 
of  the  array,  were  felt  to  represent  no  unimportant  part  of 
our  industrial  interests. 

CARRIAGE  MAKERS. 

The  carriage-makers  of  the  city  proper  avoided  a  competi¬ 
tion  with  their  neighbors,  the  craft  being  entirely  represented 
by  Messrs.  Frye,  Brainard  and  Rowell,  of  South  Boston. 
The  work  exhibited  was  of  a  high  order  of  excellence,  and  a 
band  of  hardy  workmen  spoke  well  for  that  part  of  the  city. 

RIGGERS. 

The  riggers  Were  preceded  by  an  open  carriage,  bearing 
Mr.  Edward  Carnes,  the  oldest  master  rigger  in  Boston.  He 
bore  a  flag  which  was  unfurled  when  Washington  visited  the 
city  in  1789.  Mr.  James  A.  White,  who  has  long  been  fa¬ 
vorably  known  wherever  Boston  canvas  is  spread  to  the  wind, 
acted  as  marshal  to  the  procession  of  athletic  men  which  fol¬ 
lowed,  assisted  by  Joseph  I.  McClennan  and  Robert  Smith,  as 
aids.  A  fine  model  of  a  man-of-war,  commanded  by  A.  K. 
Bryer  as  Captain,  aided  by  John  Hammond,  Samuel  Myrick 
and  Henry  Lewis,  as  first,  second  and  third  mates,  and  drawn 
by  five  horses,  accompanied  them. 

MUSEUM. 

The  Boston  Museum  gave  the  long  line  of  people  a  chance 
“  to  see  the  elephant,”  attended  by  Malays.  But  as  “  good 
wine  needs  no  bush,”  the  managers  of  the  institution  probably 
thought  it  unnecessary  to  show  what  they  could  do  “  upon  a 
pinch.” 


Two  most  substantial  loads  of  flour  from  the  East  Boston 
Steam  Mills  followed,  affording  a  striking  illustration  of  the 
benefits  to  be  derived  from  the  completion  of  the  lines  of  road 
on  account  of  which  the  celebration  was  instituted. 

The  first  was  a  plain  express  wagon,  with  ten  barrels  of 
flour,  and  supporting  a  staff  twelve  feet  long,  surmounted  with 
a  plain  gilt  eagle  and  a  white  and  buff  banner,  bearing  the 
following  inscription : — 

Western  Virginia  Flour,  via 

Ohio  River,  Great  Lakes,  Ogdensburg  and  Vermont 

Railroads. 

772  barrels  from  one  mill — consigned  to 
Lyman  Reed  &  Co.,  Boston. 

Distance  of  transportation,  -  -  1000  miles. 

Time  of  transportation,  -  12  days. 

Freight  per  barrel  $1.05  from  the  Ohio  River  to  Boston. 

On  the  reverse  side  was  the  following : 

u  Extract  from  the  First  Report  in  relation  to  a  Railroad 
from  Boston  to  Ogdensburg,  dated  February  9,  1830  : — 

4  We  consider  Works  of  Internal  Improvement  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  the  prosperity  and  permanency  of  the  Union. 

We  deem  the  subject  of  Railroads  of  vital  importance. 

The  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  a  Railroad  to  connect  the 
Western  Lakes  with  the  Atlantic  cannot  be  constructed  on  any 
location  where  it  will  afford  more  advantages  to  the  inhabitants  of 
New  England  and  the  Nation  generally,  than  from  Boston,  Mass., 
to  Ogdensburg,  New  York.  Therefore, 

Resolved ,  That  the  public  good  requires  vigorous  and  perse¬ 
vering  efforts  on  the  part  of  all  intelligent  and  public-spirited 
individuals,  until  by  the  enterprise  of  individuals,  the  co-operation 
of  State  Legislatures,  or  the  aid  of  the  General  Government,  the 
survey  and  completion  of  a  route  is  established  for  a  National 
Railroad  from  the  seaboard  at  Boston,  through  Lowell,  Mass., 
Concord,  in  New  Hampshire,  and  thence  by  the  most  convenient 
route  through  the  valley  of  Onion  River  to  Lake  Champlain,  and 
thence  to  the  waters  of  Lake  Ontario  at  Ogdensburg,  New  York. 

Lyman  Reed,  ) 

E.  P.  Walton,  >  Committee.’  ” 

S.  Baldwin,  ) 


Following  this  banner  was  a  “  Boston  Truck,”  containing 
the  usual  load  of  twenty  barrels  of  the  same  article,  drawn  by 
two  horses,  and  with  a  white  banner  attached  to  it,  on  which 
was  inscribed — 

Buchanan’s  Extra  Flour, 
from 

Wellsburg,  Western  Virginia. 

The  above  was  brought  into  the  procession  at  the  particular 
request  of  the  Railroad  Committee  of  the  City  Government, 
with  a  view  to  show  some  of  the  fruits  already  resulting 
from  the  new  railroad  communications  with  the  Great  West, 
to  produce  some  evidence  and  some  facts  on  the  subject  of 
transportation  entirely  unknown  to  many  persons  here  and 
at  the  West,  and  to  show  in  some  degree  what  may  be  ex¬ 
pected  hereafter. 

Closely  following  were  machines  for  making  crackers, 
which  were  in  successful  operation,  and  very  pleasantly  aston¬ 
ished  the  crowd  by  the  neatness  and  expedition  with  which 
they  performed  their  work. 

MASONS,  CARPENTERS  AND  HOUSE  PAINTERS. 

The  only  display  under  this  head  was  that  made  by  Messrs. 
Baker,  Perry  &  Co.,  No.  613  Washington  street,  who  exhib¬ 
ited  numerous  specimens  of  their  work,  arranged  on  a  plat¬ 
form,  in  the  form  of  a  building,  12  feet  by  7,  at  each  gable  of 
which  was  a  stalf  bearing  the  American  flag. 

The  roof  of  the  house  was  formed  of  blinds ;  the  sides 
were  made  of  doors,  blinds  and  sashes,  of  various  forms,  and 
of  the  finest  workmanship  and  materials.  Inside  were  seen 
bundles  of  stair  balusters,  a  glazier’s  easel,  and  other  like  arti¬ 
cles — while  two  men  were  actively  at  work,  glazing  sashes. 

The  sashes,  glazed  with  plate  glass,  were  of  cherry  wood ; 
the  doors  and  other  articles  of  Eastern  pine  ;  and  all  were 
admirable  specimens  of  the  perfection  to  which  American 
machine  work  has  been  brought. 

BELLOWS  MAKERS. 

Messrs.  Holden  &  Barnum  placed  in  the  procession  a  mam- 


134 


moth  pair  of  Lillie’s  patent  double-acting  Bellows,  so  con* 
structed  that,  at  every  stroke  of  the  handle,  it  fills  and  dis¬ 
charges  itself  twice,  giving  at  the  same  time  great  uniformity 
of  blast.  Upon  this  was  the  inscription — 

“  A  NEW  WAY  TO  RAISE  THE  WIND.” 

CABINET  MAKERS,  UPHOLSTERERS, 

PAPIER  MACHE  AND  SCHOOL  FURNITURE. 

The  display  in  this  department  was  really  magnificent,  and 
it  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  no  materials  for  a  fuller  descrip¬ 
tion  have  been  furnished. 

E.  A.  &  G.  T.  Smallwood,  corner  of  Beach  and  Lincoln 
streets,  sent  from  their  establishment  beautiful  specimens  of 
Sofas  and  Chairs,  some  of  which  were  finished  and  some  un¬ 
finished.  An  arch,  erected  in  the  front  part  of  the  platform, 
was  surmounted  by  a  gilt  eagle  resting  upon  a  globe.  The 
carriage  was  drawn  by  four  horses. 

Stephen  Smith,  No.  49  Cornhill,  exhibited  three  splendid 
desks  for  offices.  Clerks  were  sitting  at  them,  and  were 
busily  engaged  with  day-book  and  ledger. 

John  Putnam,  No.  404  Washington  street,  exhibited  one  of 
his  best  black  walnut  spiral  spring  bedsteads. 

Bowler  &  Co.,  papier  mache  manufacturers,  No.  8  Somer¬ 
set  street,  had  in  the  procession  a  finely  carved  and  highly 
finished  book-case.  The  carriage  on  which  it  was  borne  had 
the  motto, 

“PROTECTION  TO  MANUFACTURERS.” 

J.  J.  Haley,  Fulton  street,  exhibited  a  complete  set  of  orna¬ 
mental  chamber  furniture,  adorned  with  flower  work,  and 
representations  of  fountains  and  birds. 

This  chamber  set  has  been  pronounced  by  good  judges  to 
be  as  beautiful  as  any  ever  exhibited  in  Boston.  The  carriage 
was  tastefully  trimmed  with  drapery  and  festoons  of  ever¬ 
green,  and  bore  on  the  banner  in  front  the  motto — 

“there’s  NO  SUCH  WORD  AS  CAN’T.” 

A.  H.  Allen,  No.  2  Dock  square,  had  specimens  of  his 
parlor  furniture,  which  made  a  most  beautiful  appearance. 


135 


In  front  was  a  set  of  windows,  hung  with  the  richest  window 
drapery. 

A  number  of  settees  were  exhibited  from  the  establishment 
of  W.  O.  Haskell,  No.  66  Commercial  street.  The  carriage 
on  which  they  were  borne  had  the  motto, 

SIT  AT  EASE. 

There  was  a  fine  show  of  school  furniture  from  the  estab¬ 
lishment  of  J.  L.  Ross.  The  desks  were  arranged  as  nicely 
as  though  they  were  in  the  school-room,  and  were  occupied 
by  twelve  scholars  and  two  teachers  of  the  Hancock  School. 
This  carriage  attracted  great  attention,  and  bore  for  a  motto, 

“  FREE  SCHOOLS - THE  HOPE  OF  A  FREE  PEOPLE.” 

COPPER  PLATE  PRINTERS. 

Messrs.  E.  H.  Ball,  No.  116,  and  Luther  Stevens,  No.  186 
Washington  street,  placed  in  the  procession  a  copperplate 
press,  upon  one  side  of  which  was  a  beautiful  engraving  of 
female  figures,  while  above  was  inscribed  the  motto,  “  The 
Union,  the  Philadelphia  Art-Union,  and  all  Unions  which 
promote  the  success  of  the  Arts  blending  the  Ornamental  with 
the  Useful.”  Upon  the  opposite  side  was  one  of  the  recently 
issued  copperplate  engravings  of  Daniel  Webster,  over  which 
was  inscribed  his  memorable  expression,  “  Liberty  and  Union, 
now  and  forever,  one  and  inseparable.”  A  wagon  accom¬ 
panied  the  above,  with  a  press  in  working  order,  from  which 
was  struck  off  some  specimens  of  their  work.  The  banner 
over  this  press  bore  the  motto, 

“THE  ILLUSTRATION  OF  ALL  THE  ARTS.” 

FIRE  ENGINES. 

A  finely  finished  and  beautifully  decorated  fire  engine  from 
the  celebrated  establishment  of  Hunneman  &  Co.,  was  placed 
in  the  procession,  and  attracted  much  attention. 

PRINTERS. 

C.  C.  P.  Moody,  of  the  old  Dickinson  establishment,  had  a 
printing  press  arranged  on  a  large  wagon,  drawn  by  four 
horses,  and  with  workmen  upon  it,  busily  engaged  in  striking 
offhand-bills  of  the  Oak  Hall  clothing  warehouse. 


136 

George  K.  Snow,  of  the  Pathfinder  printing  establishment, 
No.  5  Washington  street,  exhibited  two  Book  and  Newspaper 
Folding  Machines,  a  new  and  very  ingenious  invention  of 
his  own. 

About  ten  thousand  copies  of  a  paper  prepared  for  the  occa¬ 
sion,  called  the  “  Jubilee  Pathfinder,”  were  distributed  on 
the  route. 

The  “  Carpet-Bag”  was  visible  in  the  procession,  and  did  its 
part  to  amuse  the  spectators.  An  immense  picture,  designed  ex¬ 
pressly  for  the  occasion,  by  Mr.  Sheutz,  and  painted  on  canvas, 
was  borne  in  front  of  the  wagon,  and  elicited  much  commen¬ 
dation.  In  the  upper  part  of  the  picture,  and  crowned  by  the 
Eagle  and  the  Lion,  was  a  medallion,  illustrative  of  the  bellig- 
erant  feelings  of  England  and  the  United  States  towards  each 
other  thirty  years  ago.  Upon  the  right  side  of  this,  was  seen 
a  stage  coach  crowded  to  suffocation,  and  a  heavily  loaded 
baggage  wagon,  both  fast  in  the  mud  ;  on  the  left,  a  stage 
ascending  a  New  Hampshire  or  Vermont  hillock ,  the  passen¬ 
gers  all  on  foot  toiling  up  the  steep  ascent  ;  and  in  pleasant 
proximity,  a  break-down,  with  an  intimation,  per  guide-board, 
that  Worcester  was  ten  miles  distant. 

The  lower  division  of  the  picture  embraced  a  distant  view 
of  Quebec  on  the  right,  with  a  formidable  array  of  the 
“  wooden  walls”  of  old  England  before  the  city,  and  on 
the  left  our  own  capitol  at  Washington,  occupied  the  corres¬ 
ponding  position,  while  the  two  were  connected  by  a  long 
railway  train,  speeding  on  amid  throngs  of  happy  people,  who 
were  giving  vent  to  their  joy  by  cheers.  Steamships,  flags  and 
guns,  made  up  the  rest  of  this  display  of  joy,  while  on  the  me¬ 
dallion  in  the  centre  was  represented  John  Bull  and  his  recon¬ 
ciled  relative,  rushing  to  embrace  each  other.  Behind  the  pic¬ 
ture  was  a  frame,  on  one  side  of  which  was  this  inscription  : — 

OUR  AIM — TO  AMUSE  OUR  READERS. 

On  the  other  side  : 

OUR  HOPE — TO  MAKE  IT  PAY. 

Running  across  the  wagon,  behind,  was  painted  : 

PUNCH,  PARTINGTON,  &  CO. 


137 


Oil  either  side,  a  handsome  and  well-filled  carpet-bag  was 
suspended  from  the  railing,  and  in  the  wagon,  sufficiently 
elevated  to  be  observed,  and  distinctly  labelled,  was  the 
11  Subscription  Book  of  the  Carpet-Bag,”  which,  from  its  un¬ 
usual  size,  was  expected  to  furnish  an  idea  of  the  vast  extent 
of  the  paper’s  circulation.  “Ike”  rode  in  the  wagon,  and 
distributed  copies  of  its  prospectus.  Everywhere,  the  Carpet- 
Bag  was  greeted  cordially,  and  at  several  points,  hearty  cheers 
were  given  for  it. 

Next  came  the  exhibition  of  White  &  Potter — a  large  car¬ 
riage,  with  a  house  built  upon  it,  drawn  by  four  horses.  The 
house  was  decorated  with  banners,  and  on  its  top,  over  the 
names  of  the  firm,  were  these  mottoes  : 

“  THE  PRESS — THE  LIFE  OF  TRADE.” 

“  THE  BOND  OF  BROTHERHOOD.” 

On  the  reverse  : 

“THE  PRESS — THE  ENGINE  OF  INTELLIGENCE.” 

On  the  car  were  two  printing  presses,  in  full  operation — 
a  card  cutter  and  a  paper  cutter.  On  one  of  the  presses  was 
printed  a  small  paper,  called  the  “Jubilee,”  nearly  ten  thou¬ 
sand  copies  of  which  were  distributed  while  the  procession 
was  moving.  The  other  press  was  also  in  operation,  printing 
cards. 

GRANITE  CUTTERS. 

Here  came  ponderous  trucks,  heavily  laden  with  specimens 
of  worked  granite,  as  follows  : 

No.  1  was  a  fine  specimen  of  rough  granite  from  the 
quarry  of  Richards,  Munn  &>  Co.,  of  Gurney,  drawn  by  three 
horses,  and  surmounted  by  the  American  flag.  Upon  the 
sides  of  the  carriage  was  written, 

“  Upwards  of  200,000  tons  of  Granite  are  annually  quarried 
within  the  borders  of  Massachusetts.” 

No.  2.  Upon  a  wagon  drawn  by  five  fine  horses,  the 
“  Quincy  Railway  Company”  exhibited  some  beautiful  and 
massive  capitals,  of  the  Corinthian  order,  upon  one  of  which, 
not  wholly  finished,  workmen  were  busily  engaged.  Over  the 
whole,  a  canopy  was  erected,  highly  decorated  with  flags,  and 

producing  a  flue  effect. 

18 


138 


No.  3  was  a  massive  column,  weighing,  by  computation, 
fourteen  tons,  and  intended  for  the  Custom  House  at  New 
Orleans.  This  stone,  taken  from  the  same  quarry  with  that 
of  No.  1,  was  drawn  by  fourteen  large  horses,  and  was  exhib¬ 
ited,  mainly,  to  show  how  easily  stones  of  such  size  are  trans¬ 
ported. 

No.  4  was  the  Granite  Block  to  be  presented  by  the  City 
of  Boston  to  the  Washington  Monument,  now  building  at 
the  seat  of  the  National  Government.  The  block  is  four  feet 
six  inches  long,  three  feet  six  inches  wide,  and  one  foot  six 
inches  thick.  Within  an  elliptical  panel,  three  and  a  half 
feet  by  two  and  a  half,  and  sunk  two  and  a  half  inches,  was 
a  transcript  of  the  motto  of  the  Seal  of  the  City,  in  raised 
letters ;  the  whole  encircled  by  a  moulding  of  great  beauty. 
The  face  and  letters  of  the  stone  were  polished,  whilst  the 
surface  of  the  panel  was  finely  picked,  producing  a  marked 
contrast. 

This  stone  was  of  Rockport  Granite,  and  was  furnished 
by  J.  Wetherbee  &  Co.,  Boston.  The  decorations  over  it 
were  tastefully  arranged,  and  added  much  to  the  interest  of 
this  part  of  the  procession. 

No.  5  was  a  portion  of  a  Granite  door-way,  wrought  by  A. 
C.  Sanborn  &.  Co.,  and  drawn  by  their  team. 

SILVER  SMITHS  AND  JEWELLERS. 

The  manufacturers  of  “barbaric  pearl  and  gold”  made  an 
imposing  show.  They  numbered  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty,  and  carried  a  splendid  banner,  bearing  a  silver  star  in 
the  centre,  and  adorned  with  pearls,  coral,  gold  chains,  and 
other  costly  trinkets.  The  flag  was  of  satin, — one  side  white, 
and  the  other  crimson.  Next  followed  a  car,  of  pyramidal 
shape,  borne  upon  the  shoulders  of  four  colored  men  rejoicing 
in  the  gorgeous  oriental  costume,  and  loaded  with  specimens 
of  gold  and  silver  ware — consisting  of  pitchers,  vases,  tea 
sets,  goblets,  card  receivers,  spoons,  ladles,  butter  knives,  fish 
knives,  festoons  of  gold  chains,  and  other  jewelry.  At  the 
top  was  a  silver  vase,  in  which  was  deposited  a  beautiful 
bouquet.  Next  was  borne  the  ancient  flag  used  at  the  turn- 


139 


out  of  the  trade  on  the  visit  of  General  Washington  to  this 
city,  Oct.  28th,  1789.  On  each  side,  two  lads  bore  waiters,  on 
which  was  exhibited  a  variety  of  manufactures  of  the  precious 
metals,  exquisitely  wrought.  Next  came  a  shop  upon  wheels, 
drawn  by  four  gray  horses.  In  the  shop  were  the  various  imple¬ 
ments  used  by  the  trade,  and  some  twenty  members  at  work, 
Mr.  Newell  Harding  acting  as  “boss.”  The  shop  was  pro¬ 
fusely  decorated  with  flags,  evergreen  and  bouquets.  Then 
came  a  banner,  on  which  were  the  stars  and  stripes,  and  a  dis¬ 
play  of  silver  spoons  and  knives.  The  members  of  the  trade 
marched  in  sections,  which  were  separated  from  each  other 
by  these  elegant  symbols  of  their  art.  Each  man  in  the  pro¬ 
cession,  with  the  genuine  taste  which  belongs  to  their  call¬ 
ing,  instead  of  wearing  an  artificial  rosette  on  his  breast, 
wore  a  natural  dahlia,  to  which  was  attached  gold  and  silver 
ribbon  ;  and  each  member  carried  in  hand  a  baton  mounted 
with  silver. 

The  exhibition  of  Levi  Willcutt,  the  gold  pen  manufac¬ 
turer,  followed,  with  a  prodigious  “gold”  pen,  borne  upon  a 
car,  whose  motto  was — 

“the  pen  is  mightier  than  the  sword.” 

SAFES  AND  LOCKS. 

Specimens  of  Edwards,  Holman  &  Co.’s  Improved  Sala¬ 
mander  Safes  were  drawn,  on  a  heavy  truck,  by  four  large 
horses  in  uniform  caparisons.  0\rer  the  top  was  an  arch,  on 
which  was  inscribed, 

“'our  country’s  safe.” 

This  was  surmounted  with  a  golden  eagle. 

Then  came  a  car  of  Jones  &  Farwell,  lock  and  knob 
manufacturers.  Upon  it  was  a  great  display  of  specimens  of 
their  manufacture,  and  workmen  engaged  at  their  trade. 

THE  NEWTON  BRASS  BAND. 

Next  came  a  heavy  truck,  drawn  by  four  “  spanking  grays,” 
and  loaded  with  safes  from  Wm.  Adams  &  Co.,  bearing  the 
motto, 

TO  KEEP  ROGUES  OUT; 

and  also  some  iron  grating,  purporting 

TO  KEEP  ROGUES  II*. 


140 


Specimens  of  iron  safes  from  John  E.  Wilder  followed. 

Samples  of  cell  doors  and  locks,  furnished  for  the  new 
jail,  were  exhibited  by  Denio  &  Roberts;  also,  a  Salamander 
Safe,  on  which  was  inscribed — “  I  defy  the  elements.  Fire 
is  no  enemy  to  me.  I  have  been  tested,  and  came  out  of 
the  great  fire  at  Concord.  $175,000  property  saved  in  this 
safe.” 

George  W.  Smith  showed  a  bank  vault  and  safe,  drawn  by 
five  large  horses. 

BLANK-BOOK  PAGERS  AND  RULERS. 

In  this  Section  was  a  car,  mounted  with  McAdams  “  Pag¬ 
ing  and  Heading  ”  apparatus,  on  which  two  young  women 
and  a  man  were  actively  at  work. 

IRON  RAILING. 

Several  handsome  specimens  of  wire  work  and  railing, 
manufactured  by  the  New  England  Wire-Railing  Company, 
were  appropriately  arranged  upon  a  car. 

Wm.  E.  Weeman,  of  No.  19  Sudbury  street,  exhibited 
numerous  specimens  of  ornamental  wrought  and  cast  iron 
railing,  for  cemeteries,  buildings,  and  gardens. 

FURNACE,  RANGE,  AND  STOVE  DEALERS.  TIN  WARE  AND  SHEET 

IRON  MANUFACTURERS. 

A  large  car  of  samples  of  tin  and  sheet  iron  ware,  with 
manufacturers  at  work,  attracted  much  attention. 

A  decorated  car,  filled  with  furnaces  and  grates,  was  ex¬ 
hibited  by  Pond  &  Co. 

Among  the  useful  articles,  set  out  in  this  section,  was  an 
assortment  of  Emerson’s  Ventilators,  including  those  adapted 
to  ships,  school-houses  and  railroad  cars,  arranged  on  a  hand¬ 
some  car,  drawn  by  four  gray  horses,  and  furnished  by  Jones 
&  Son,  Union  street.  The  same  firm  had  another  car  fol¬ 
lowing,  on  which  workmen  were  engaged  in  manufacturing 
their  wares. 

The  magnificent  display  of  articles  in  the  department  of 
stoves,  ranges  and  furnaces,  from  the  well  known  and  exten¬ 
sive  establishment  of  Messrs.  Chilson,  Richardson  &•  Co., 


141 


i 


Nos.  51  and  53  Blackstone  street,  attracted  universal  atten¬ 
tion.  Their  car  was  drawn  by  four  large  black  horses, 
gaily  caparisoned.  On  its  front  was  placed  one  of  Chilson’s 
Air-Warming  and  Ventilating  Furnaces,  and  on  either  side 
was  arrayed  a  beautiful  display  of  hot-air  grates  and  regis¬ 
ters,  of  or-molu  and  bronze.  In  the  centre  of  the  car 
was  erected  a  pyramid  of  silver  registers,  resting  in  a  frame, 
covered  with  black  velvet ;  on  either  side  of  which  was 
a  specimen  of  the  newly  invented  mirror-marble  chimney- 
piece,  of  the  most  elaborate  finish,  with  grate  and  fender 
attached.  On  the  back  of  the  car  was  another  chimney- 
piece,  inlaid  with  pearl,  and  also  a  large  gilded  ornamental 
centre-piece.  Seldom,  if  ever,  has  so  splendid  a  display 
been  made,  with  nothing  to  give  it  beauty  but  the  articles 
themselves.  It  fully  sustained  the  high  standing  and  char¬ 
acter  of  the  firm  which  made  the  contribution. 

Messrs.  Bulkley  &  Low.  Nos.  33  and  35  Blackstone  street, 
made  a  beautiful  display  of  Waring’s  celebrated  Air-Tight 
Parlor  Stoves ;  large  Pyramid  Stoves  for  halls  ;  the  Consti- 
tution-Hot-Air-Ventilated-Oven-Cooking  Stove,  and  others  of 
various  and  novel  patterns.  Their  exposition  was  highly 
commended  for  its  neatness,  and  for  the  ingenuity  and  good 
taste  of  its  mottoes  and  decorations. 

Similar  exhibitions  were  made  by  Pond  &  Duncklee,  Win¬ 
chester,  Knight  &  Co.,  Gould  &  Pratt,  Stephen  Kimball, 
Robert  Webb,  S.  M.  Folsom  &  Co.,  J.  Hayes,  and  J.  W.  T. 
Stodder. 

SEWING-  MACHINES. 

Sewing  machines  were  exhibited  by  Grover  &  Baker,  No. 
71  Milk  street,  on  a  car,  very  appropriately  and  handsomely 
decorated  with  the  American  and  British  flags  intermingled. 
It  was  drawn  by  handsome  silver-gray  horses,  to  whose  heads 
blue,  red  and  white  streamers  were  attached,  and  whence 
they  were  gathered  in  the  talons  and  beak  of  a  very  large 
eagle,  with  expanded  wings,  which  was  suspended  some 
twelve  feet  above  the  car.  Extending  the  whole  length  of 
the  car,  was  the  sign,  “  Grover  &  Baker’s  Patent  Sewing  Ma¬ 
chines,”  painted  in  bine  letters  on  a  white  ground  with  a 


142 


border  of  red  stripes  —  thus  blending  the  colors  of  the 
American  flag.  Below,  upon  a  platform,  were  displayed  the 
machines,  stitching  on  leather  and  other  fabrics,  and  man¬ 
aged  by  young  women,  whose  dresses  emblematically  com¬ 
bined  the  national  colors  of  England  and  America. 

FIRE  WORKS. 

One  of  the  most  novel  and  imposing  spectacles  in  the 
procession  was  the  Fire  Work  car,  from  the  Pyrotechnical 
Laboratory  of  James  G.  Hovey,  Esq.  It  consisted  of  a 
gorgeous  temple,  formed  by  two  arches,  in  front  of  which 
was  the  Fire  King,  in  appropriate  paraphernalia,  and  behind, 
an  attendant  Fiend ;  the  whole  decorated  with  fire  works  of 
every  description,  and  drawn  by  six  large  gray  horses. 

Messrs.  Sanderson  and  Lanergan,  Pyrotechnists,  of  East 
Cambridge,  exhibited  a  large  car,  the  body  of  which  formed 
a  highly  ornamental  base,  supporting  a  design  representing 
u  Etna*5  in  eruption,  and  emitting  volumes  of  perfumed  smoke. 
The  American  flag,  falling  from  the  talons  of  a  golden  eagle, 
hung  in  festoons  over  the  front  and  sides  of  the  car,  the  top 
of  which  was  decorated  with  fire  works  of  various  kinds. 
The  base,  supporting  the  volcano,  was  white,  ornamented 
and  lettered  with  gold.  The  cornice  was  composed  of  rock¬ 
ets,  of  every  size  and  description  j  and  a  group  of  the  same, 
in  the  back  panel,  supported  a  golden  Phoenix.  Similar 
groups  occupied  the  front  and  top.  The  American  shield,  in 
silver,  scarlet  and  blue,  crested  with  cross  rockets,  wreathed 
with  flowers,  and  bearing,  in  silver  letters,  the  names  of  the 
proprietors,  occupied  the  central  base  on  each  side,  from 
which  depended  heavy  double  folds  of  drapery  of  crimson, 
powdered  with  gilt  leaves  and  stars,  and  bound  and  fringed 
with  pendants  of  the  same.  The  car  was  drawn  by  six  gray 
horses,  with  riders  in  uniform,  and  attended  by  guards  in 
black  and  red  costume,  armed  with  torches. 

WOODEN  WARE. 

A  great  variety  of  specimens  of  wooden  ware,  from  the 
establishments  of  P.  Dickinson  6c  Co.,  D.  Cummings  6c  Co., 


143 


and  R.  Warner  &  Co.,  were  skilfully  arranged  on  a  car,  and 
afforded  an  excellent  illustration  of  this  branch  of  business ; 
tubs,  pails,  trays,  measures,  brooms,  boxes,  baskets,  buckets, 
and  an  almost  numberless  variety  of  other  like  articles,  made 
up  this  truly  Yankee”  and  very  pleasing  exhibition. 

CAR  MAKERS. 

A  splendid  railroad  car,  from  the  establishment  of  Daven¬ 
port  &  Bridges,  in  Cambridge,  drawn  by  a  long  line  of  fine- 
looking  horses,  and  followed  by  a  large  body  of  the  mechan¬ 
ics  in  their  employ,  occupied  a  large  space  in  the  procession, 
and  was  an  object  of  general  remark. 

FOUNDERS. 

Seth  Wilmarth,  the  proprietor  of  the  Union  Iron  Works 
of  South  Boston,  placed  in  the  procession  a  drilling  machine 
and  two  engine  lathes.  An  accident  prevented  him  from  ex¬ 
hibiting  an  engine,  which  he  had  intended.  About  a  hundred 
workmen  joined  in  the  procession,  bearing  banners  with  the 
name  of  their  company,  and  with  representations  of  their 
works.  Following  this,  was  the 

NORTH  BRIDGEWATER  BAND. 

From  the  Globe  Works  of  John  Souther  was  exhibited  a 
powerful  and  finely  finished  locomotive,  of  seventeen  tons 
weight,  built  for  the  Richmond  and  Danville  Railroad  in 
Virginia,  and  called  the  “  Potomac.”  It  was  drawn  by  twelve 
noble  horses.  There  was  a  deputation  of  150  men  from  this 
establishment. 

The  Boston  Locomotive  Works  were  represented  by  a 
deputation  of  about  350  men,  bearing  banners  denoting  their 
respective  employments — as  blacksmiths,  iron  founders,  boiler 
makers,  and  machinists.  A  locomotive  was  exhibited  from 
these  works,  named  the  u  Elvira,”  of  about  the  same  power  as 
that  of  the  “  Potomac,”  from  the  Globe  Works. 

The  Fulton  Works  were  represented  by  100  workmen, 
accompanied  by  an  engine  frame  in  a  rough  state,  just  as  if 
was  taken  from  the  foundery.  Then  followed  the 


FOXBOROUGH  BRASS  BAND. 


144 


From  the  South  Boston  Iron  Co.,  Alger’s  Works,  there 
were  about  120  workmen.  As  specimens  of  the  work  of 
this  company,  there  were  one  large  cannon,  of  eleven  inch 
bore,  and  weighing  nearly  eight  tons,  two  brass  six  pound¬ 
ers,  a  locomotive  crank,  a  patent  railroad  frog,  and  an  iron 
shaving  thirty  feet  in  length. 

“  The  Glendon  Rolling  Mill,”  of  East  Boston,  exhibited  a  car, 
drawn  by  twelve  gray  horses,  handsomely  adorned,  and  con¬ 
taining  specimens  of  their  manufacture,  in  all  its  various 
processes,  from  the  iron  ore,  as  dug  from  the  bowels  of  the 
earth,  to  the  finished  bar;  also,  locomotive  and  car  tires,  and 
axles,  and  various  other  articles,  arranged  in  a  pyramidal 
form  around  a  heavy  forged  central  shaft,  upwards  of  30  feet 
high,  surmounted  by  the  American  flag,  and  otherwise  hand¬ 
somely  decorated. 

This  corporation  turned  out  360  men  in  the  procession, 
and  exhibited  several  banners,  the  principal  of  which  had  for 
its  motto  a  quotation  from  Ovid — “  De  duro  est  ultima  ferro  ” 
— [  Aetas  understood ] — The  last  Age  is  of  Iron. 

LEATHER  BELTING. 

Ample  specimens  of  leather  belting,  from  the  establishment 
of  N.  Hunt  &  Co.,  were  exhibited  on  a  car,  highly  decorated  ; 
following  which  was  a  display  of  leather  belting,  engine 
hose,  saddlery  and  trunks,  from  the  establishment  of  Shelton 
&  Cheever. 

LAST  MAKERS. 

Blanchard’s  patent  self-directing  machine,  for  manufactur¬ 
ing  boot-trees  and  lasts,  was  a  very  interesting  object,  from 
the  great  ingenuity  of  its  construction.  It  was  kept  in  opera¬ 
tion  by  attendant  workmen. 

PLUMBERS. 

A  fine  exhibition,  on  a  car,  of  manufactures  from  the  estab¬ 
lishment  of  Lockwood,  Zane  &  Lumb,  was  followed  by  the 

ROXBURY  BRASS  BAND. 

CARPET  MAKERS. 

A  great  display  was  made,  by  from  three  to  four  hundred 


145 


operatives  from  Henry  Pettes  &  Co.’s  carpet  factories  in 
Roxbury,  headed  by  the  Roxbury  Band ;  immediately  after 
which  followed  a  superb  banner-car,  covered  with  paintings, 
representing  their  different  factory  buildings.  Next  came  a 
detachment  of  weavers,  with  sashes  of  parti-colored  yarns, 
bearing  a  banner  with  the  following  inscription — “  Every 
carpet  we  display  is  the  work  of  our  own  hands,  in  Henry 
Pettes  &  Co.’s  Roxbury  carpet  factories.”  Then  came  a 
triumphal  car,  drawn  by  four  horses,  exhibiting  a  beautiful 
variety  of  tapestry  carpeting.  Next  came  a  tapestry-carpet- 
loom,  in  full  operation,  surrounded  by  weavers  and  all  the 
implements  of  the  craft.  The  boys  bore  a  banner,  with 
the  motto — “  We  learn  to  work,  while  young,  in  Henry 
Pettes  &  Co.’s  Roxbury  carpet  factories.”  This  section  was 
closed  by  a  chariot,  drawn  by  four  horses,  and  followed  by  a 
large  number  of  the  young  men  of  the  establishment,  gaily 
dressed,  and  bearing  banners,  with  the  motto — “  We  spin  and 
weave  in  Henry  Pettes  &  Co.’s  Roxbury  carpet  factories. 
Honor  and  protect  our  industry.” 

The  Boston  Dye  House  placed  in  the  procession  a  car¬ 
riage,  exhibiting  specimens  of  their  work ;  there  were  yarns, 
ribbons,  bonnets,  shawls  and  cloths  of  all  kinds,  and  colored 
with  all  the  hues  of  the  rainbow. 

OCCUPANTS  OP  FANEUIL  HALL  MARKET. 

The  occupants  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market — a  fine  looking 
body  of  men — made  a  very  creditable  appearance.  They 
were  preceded  by  Dodsworth’s  (New  York)  famous  band  of 
music,  and  attracted  much  attention.  One  of  their  ban¬ 
ners  exhibited  a  bullock’s  head  in  front ;  on  the  reverse — 
“  We  feed  the  hungry.”  Another  banner  was  inscribed — 
“  Our  railroad  and  steamboat  communications ;  may  they 
extend  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  A  third  bore  the  inscrip¬ 
tion — u  England  and  America;  a  worthy  son  of  a  noble 
sire.”  A  car,  thirty  feet  in  length,  contained  a  tempting 
variety  of  “vivers” — fish,  flesh,  fowl  and  vegetables,  of  the 
best  quality.  A  few  live  pigs,  geese  and  fowls,  animated 
the  picture,  and  occasionally  contributed  “  rural  sounds,”  to 

19 


146 


“exhilarate  the  spirits”  of  the  hearers  ;  and  on  the  top  of  the 
car  was  perched  a  live  rooster,  who  did  not  appear  to  enjoy 
the  scene  much.  The  car  was  handsomely  decorated  with 
American,  English  and  French  flags,  flying  from  its  top. 
Three  carriages,  and  a  procession,  numbering  more  than  150 
men,  followed  on  foot. 

TAPER  HANGINGS. 

This  trade  was  represented  by  the  Boston  and  Chelsea 
Paper  Hangings  Manufacturing  Company,  alone,  but  very 
efficiently.  Upon  different  constructions  were  represented 
the  different  branches  of  their  business. 

Upon  the  first,  drawn  by  four  horses,  were  print  cutters, 
with  stock  and  tools,  engaged  in  their  work,  and  a  printing 
machine,  with  men  and  boys  in  the  act  of  printing  paper, 
which,  as  soon  as  dry,  was  rolled  up  by  another  machine, 
managed  by  women.  Specimens  of  the  printing  were  dis¬ 
tributed  along  the  route  of  the  procession. 

Next  followed  a  load  of  manufactured  paper,  drawn  by 
two  horses. 

Then  came  a  model  of  a  parlor,  drawn  by  one  horse,  with 
a  paper  hanger  and  his  apprentice  engaged  in  decorating  it  in 
various  styles.  Attached  to  the  outside  were  sample  cards  of 
paper  hangings  and  borders. 

LAMPS  AND  GAS  FIXTURES. 

Andrew  J.  Gavit  exhibited  a  great  variety  of  handsome 
lamp  and  gas  fixtures,  tastefully  arranged  upon  a  carriage, 
and  drawn  by  two  horses. 

INTELLIGENCE  OFFICES. 

A  representation  of  Porter’s  Intelligence  Office  was  trans¬ 
ported  by  six  horses — some  twenty  men  and  women  being 
seated  in  a  car  covered  with  handbills  specifying  the  various 
classes  of  persons  wishing  situations,  {not  including  political 
offices,)  and  of  those  whose  services  were  wanted. 

PIANO  FORTE  MAKERS. 

The  piano  forte  makers  of  the  city,  (with  the  exception  of 
Chickering’s  establishment,)  marshaled  by  Russell  Hallet, 


147 


numbered  about  200.  and  were  accompanied  by  the  Lowell 
Brass  Band.  On  a  large  car,  temple-formed,  drawn  by  four 
black  horses,  were  three  beautiful  pianos,  from  Lemuel 
Gilbert,  T.  Gilbert,  and  D.  B.  Newhall ;  one  of  them  ex¬ 
hibiting  carvings  of  most  exquisite  skill.  From  the  beak 
of  an  eagle,  in  front,  the  car  was  handsomely  draped,  and 
from  the  corners  waved  two  American,  one  English,  and  a 
French  flag.  Two  banners  were  borne — one  with  the  inscrip¬ 
tion,  “ Nothing  is  denied  to  well  deserved  labor;”  the  other 
having  on  the  obverse  a  Harp,  and  on  the  reverse,  “  Harmony.” 

The  operatives  in  Chickering’s  piano  forte  establishment, 
numbering  more  than  100,  with  a  band  belonging  to  the 
establishment — the  “Excelsior  Band” — made  a  fine  appear¬ 
ance.  A  two  horse  car,  handsomely  “decored,”  (to  use  the 
language  of  old  Caleb  Balderstone,)  carried  one  of  Chicker¬ 
ing’s  grand  pianos,  with  an  inscription  on  either  side — 

“  There’s  sure  no  passion  of  the  human  soul 
But  finds  its  food  in  music.” 

GILDERS. 

The  gilders,  on  a  car  drawn  by  four  white  horses,  exhibited 
a  variety  of  mirrors,  picture  frames,  and  other  ornamental 
work,  handsomely  arranged,  with  two  flags  draped  from  the 
top. 

BOOK  BINDERS. 

The  artists  of  Gleason’s  Pictorial  Companion  rode  in  two  ' 
barouches,  with  banners,  and  the  motto  — 

“HONOR  ALIT  ARTES.” 

The  bookbinders  made  a  good  appearance,  and  numbered 
about  one  hundred,  George  A.  Fields  as  Marshal,  and  were 
accompanied  by  the  “  Holliston  Band.”  A  beautiful  banner, 
with  a  large  open  book  upon  it,  and  having  a  book  upon  its 
staff,  contained  the  inscription — “  We  bind  and  preserve  the 
knowledge  of  the  past  for  the  benefit  of  the  future.”  A 
four-horse  car  contained  an  embossing  machine,  cutting  press, 
forwarding  press,  and  other  appropriate  machines,  in  opera- 


148 


tion,  with  girls  folding  and  stitching  books.  Another  large 
car  contained  a  cutting  machine,  standing  press,  and  ruling 
machine,  in  operation.  Several  carriages  contained  some  of 
the  leading  men  engaged  in  the  business. 

AGRICULTURAL  WARES. 

Prouty  &  Mears  had  two  teams ;  one  with  two  horses, 
containing  several  varieties  of  their  famous  plough,  including 
the  kind  which  obtained  a  premium  at  the  World’s  Fair.  A 
six  horse  team,  with  a  car,  contained  twelve  men  at  work, 
plough  making ;  and  portions  of  work,  in  its  several  stages, 
were  exhibited. 

Blodgett,  Clark  &  Brown,  on  a  six  horse  car,  exhibited 
agricultural  implements,  and  a  great  variety  of  hardware,  very 
well  arranged.  On  the  tines  of  two  pitch-forks  were  sus¬ 
pended  small  flags. 

Ruggles,  Nourse  &  Mason,  with  a  four  horse  car,  exhibited 
the  various  articles  of  their  manufacture,  contrasted  with  an 
old  plough  used  by  Roger  Sherman  in  1742.  A  rooster, 
acting  the  part  of  a  weather-cock,  surmounted  the  vehicle. 

From  the  Agricultural  Ware-House  and  Seed  Store  of 
Messrs.  Parker  &  White,  Nos.  S  and  10  Gerrish  Block,  was 
a  car,  (drawn  by  four  large  gray  horses,  belonging  to  Mr. 
Bailey,  of  South  Weymouth,)  and  filled  with  every  variety 
of  implements  of  their  manufacture  and  trade,  comprising 
ploughs,  harrows,  hay  cutters,  shovels,  hoes,  spades,  hay  and 
manure  forks,  handcarts,  wheelbarrows,  fanning  mills,  corn 
shellers,  chains,  and,  in  fine,  tools  of  every  description  used 
by  the  agriculturist,  or  the  cultivator  of  flowers. 

Their  banner,  of  wide  canvas,  extending  the  whole  width 
of  the  street,  bore  the  picture  of  a  plough,  with  the  old  but 
not  worn-out  motto — 

“  SPEED  THE  PLOUGH.” 

BRUSHES. 

Adams’  Brush  Manufactory  was  represented  by  a  Russian 
boar,  mounted  on  a  light  vehicle,  drawn  by  the  celebrated 
mare  “Jane  Eyre.”  Attached  to  the  car  were  a  mammoth 


149 


brush  and  other  emblems  of  the  trade,  the  whole  being  in 
excellent  taste  and  appropriate  to  the  business.  Upwards  of 
thirty  workmen,  employed  in  this  establishment,  followed, 
having  a  banner  inscribed — “  From  Adams’  Brush  Factory  ;  ” 
and  on  the  reverse,  the  motto— “  A  new  broom  sweeps  clean.” 

BOAT  CLUBS. 

The  Franklin  Boat  Club,  whose  head  quarters  are  near 
Braman’s  Baths,  rode  in  their  boat,  thirty-eight  feet  in 
length,  drawn  by  two  horses. 

CARVERS. 

A  two  horse  car,  containing  some  beautiful  specimens  of 
ship  carving  by  Gleason,  on  Commercial  street,  was  gaily 
trimmed  with  flags. 


Besides  the  above,  there  were  several  excellent  “  exposi¬ 
tions”  not  included  under  either  of  the  specific  sections,  but 
not  the  less  worthy  of  special  notice. 

Blodget,  Clarke  &  Brown,  of  Pearl  street,  furnished  a  car, 
drawn  by  six  horses,  and  covered  with  specimens  of  Ameri¬ 
can  hardware,  from  all  parts  of  New  England,  but  chiefly 
from  Connecticut.  Among  the  articles  exhibited  were  Ames’ 
Shovels,  Clarke’s  Knives,  Douglass’  Pumps,  Blake’s  Latches, 
and  Holley  &.  Co.’s  Pocket  Cutlery.  On  the  platform,  in  the 
rear,  was  a  model  of  the  celebrated  “  Chain  Pump,”  which 
drew  much  attention. 

An  elegant  omnibus  of  Hobbs  &,  Prescott’s  line  contained, 
on  one  side,  “  The  way  to  the  Railroad  ;  ”  on  the  other,  “  We 
come  at  your  call,”  and  behind,  the  standing  joke,  11  Room 
for  one  more,” — although  it  appeared  to  be  full,  or  as  nearly 
so  as  a  vehicle,  proverbially  unsusceptible  of  repletion,  can 
be.  The  carriage  was  neatly  decorated,  and  drawn  by  four 
superb  horses. 

A  wagon,  containing  a  display  of  spices,  with  the  words, 
“  The  Colonies  and  the  States — Reciprocity  of  Trade,  and 


150 


more  Spice  in  our  Commerce,”  was  from  the  City  Coffee  and 
Spice  Mills  of  Stiles,  Hnrbs  &  Hasselberg,  No.  4  Liberty 
square,  Boston.  On  the  same  wagon,  a  banner  bore  the  in¬ 
scription — Hon.  Joseph  Howe  and  the  Colonial  Railways,” 
■ — in  honor  of  the  labors  of  Mr.  Howe  in  furtherance  of  the 
great  scheme  by  which  the  Colonies  are  to  be  united  by  a  rail¬ 
road  from  Canada,  through  New  Brunswick,  into  Nova  Scotia. 

Jonathan  Pierce  exhibited,  on  a  one  horse  car,  various 
articles  of  pumps,  blocks,  and  the  like. 

A  carriage,  covered  with  millinery  goods,  and  containing 
several  girls  at  work,  was  furnished  by  L.  S.  Driggs,  and  was 
quite  attractive  in  its  appearance,  though  it  may  be  doubted 
whether  the  inanimate  portion  of  the  lading  received  its 
due  attention. 

/ 

In  another  carriage  were  exhibited  numerous  specimens  of 
11  Southern  brogans,”  with  several  men  at  work  making  the 
like. 

J.  Russell  Spalding,  Perfumer,  Tremont  row,  exhibited  a 
mammoth  oval  bottle,  fourteen  feet  high,  five  feet  broad,  and 
three  feet  wide, — set  off  with  a  showy  label. 

The  clothes-drying  machine  of  J.  H.  Evans,  of  Cambridge- 
port,  as  it  moved  along  the  line,  attracted  much  notice. 
The  last  article  in  the  Seventh  Division  was  followed  by  a 
cavalcade. 

On  reaching  Charles  street  from  the  Common,  the  proces¬ 
sion  was  dismissed,  and  the  guests  of  the  City  assembled  at 
the  State  House,  to  move  thence  to  the  dinner,  which  had 
been  spread  under  an  extensive  Pavilion. 

The  Pavilion  was  erected  on  a  level  spot  of  the  Common, 
nearly  opposite  West  street,  and  immediately  adjoining  the 
Tremont  street  Mall,  and  its  appearance,  as  it  burst  into 
view  from  this  point,  was  peculiarly  striking,  and  attracted 
great  admiration.  On  a  line  extending  from  one  end  of 
the  first,  or  original  tent,  to  the  other,  were  fastened  a  large 
number  of  small  ensigns,  signals,  flags,  and  streamers,  hand¬ 
somely  and  appropriately  arranged.  Conspicuous  among  the 
whole,  were  the  Stars  and  Stripes  of  our  own  Flag,  while 


151 


the  Cross  of  St.  George,  in  honor  of  the  occasion,  was  also 
spread  to  the  breeze. 

On  the  three  masts  which  supported  the  tent,  were  flying 
the  respective  flags  of  Great  Britain  and  America.  Of  the 
second  tent,  or  that  which  was  subsequently  added  to  the 
original,  each  corner  was  decorated  with  a  handsome  Ameri¬ 
can  flag.  In  the  centre  of  the  pavilion  was  flying  a  faded 
and  ancient-looking  standard,  which  fluttered  proudly  in  the 
breeze,  as  if  in  contempt  of  its  fresh  but  untried  companions. 

At  the  northern  end,  facing  Park  street,  over  the  en¬ 
trance,  through  which  the  procession  passed  to  partake  of  the 
civic  dinner,  an  arch  was  erected  on  which  was  the  follow¬ 
ing  motto  : 

LITERATURE,  SCIENCE,  AND  THE  ARTS  ;  ENCOURAGEMENT  TO  ALL. 

In  the  centre  was  represented  an  engine  and  cars  in  motion. 
Two  handsome  gilt  stars  decorated  each  side. 

After  the  erection  of  the  first  division  of  the  tent,  it  had 
been  ascertained  that  it  was  insufficient  to  accommodate  the 
vast  crowd  which  would  be  assembled.  It  was  therefore  en¬ 
larged  by  the  addition  of  ninety  feet  each  way,  making  the 
whole  dimensions  of  the  tent  250  feet  in  length,  and  90  in 
breadth.  This  latter  erection  had  more  the  appearance  of  a 
canvas  building — the  canvas  being  fastened  on  frame  work, 
— than  the  former,  and  was  not  so  fully  decorated  on  the  ex¬ 
terior.  This  defect  of  uniformity  could  not  be  remedied  on 
account  of  the  want  of  time.  The  whole,  however,  presented 
a  most  beautiful  appearance,  and  from  all  quarters,  the  snow 
white  canvas  of  the  immense  pavilion  contrasted  strongly 
with  the  hundred  gaily-colored  banners  which  fluttered  in 
the  breeze. 

The  interior  of  the  pavilion  was  profusely  decorated  with 
flags  and  many-colored  bunting.  From  the  immense  roof 
hung  the  flags  of  all  nations,  appropriately  interspersed  and 
arranged.  Large  maps  of  Boston  and  of  the  different  rail¬ 
road  routes  were  also  fastened  so  that  they  were  flat,  or 
nearly  so,  upon  the  roof.  The  flags  were  so  arranged, 
that,  for  the  whole  length  of  the  tent,  upon  each  side  of  the 
beams  which  supported  the  centre  of  the  canvas,  there  was  a 


152 


row  of  the  largest,  while  immediately  behind  were  displayed 
smaller  ensigns.  The  insignia  of  nearly  every  nation  in  the 
world  were  seen  in  the  vast  array  of  gay  pennants  which 
lined  the  roof  of  the  pavilion.  Among  them,  from  their  size 
and  beauty,  were  particularly  noticeable  the  banners  of 
Sweden,  China,  Belgium,  Poland,  Mexico  and  France,  while 
the  a  Meteor  Flag  of  England”  was  visible  in  the  most  promi¬ 
nent  and  honorable  positions.  Between  the  beams  which 
supported  the  centre  of  the  canvas,  the  whole  length  of  the 
tent  was  hung  in  festoons,  alternating  in  colors  of  red,  white 
and  blue  streamers,  pennants  and  ensigns  of  all  descriptions. 

The  head  of  the  tables  was  situated  at  the  south  end  of  the 
Pavilion,  towards  the  Public  Garden,  and  not  at  the  north  as 
was  at  first  intended.  Immediately  over  the  seat  of  the 
President  great  taste  was  displayed  in  the  designs  and  decor¬ 
ations  which  were  put  up.  On  the  canvas  roof  above  his 
head,  were  two  very  large  flags  of  England  and  the  United 
States,  the  former  on  the  right.  On  an  arch  behind  his  seat 
was  the  motto  : 

ENGLAND  AND  AMERICA — PERPETUAL  PEACE  ;  THE  QUEEN  AND 

THE  PRESIDENT. 

From  the  base  of  the  arch  were  draped  in  a  beautiful 
manner,  the  flags  of  the  two  nations,  while  the  back 
ground  was  formed  of  an  American  ensign.  Immediately 
between  the  first  two  flags  was  a  golden  eagle,  with 
wings  outspread,  in  a  protecting  attitude,  supporting  in  his 
talons  the  palladium  of  liberty,  and  an  olive  branch,  the 
emblem  of  peace.  The  whole  was  very  prettily  decorated 
with  evergreens. 

On  each  side  of  the  centre  of  the  tables,  small  evergreen 
trees  were  fastened  to  every  post,  between  which  were  paint¬ 
ings,  lithographs,  and  engravings  of  all  descriptions,  and  of 
various  qualities,  representing  marine  views,  railway  views, 
maps,  charts,  and  the  like.  Prominent  among  others,  was 
noticed  a  fine  lithograph  print  of  the  S.  S.  Lewis. 

Opposite  the  arch  over  the  seat  of  the  President,  in  the 
middle  of  tent,  was  another  arch  with  the  following  motto  : 


153 


THOU  SHALT  LOVE  THY  NEIGHBOR  AS  THYSELF: 

TORONTO,  COBOURG. 

MONTREAL,  HAMILTON,  QUEBEC,  BOSTON. 

HONOR  TO  THOSE  WHO  HAVE  BROUGHT  US  TOGETHER. 

In  the  centre  of  this  was  a  design  representing  the  telegraph 
wires,  and  a  train  of  cars  in  motion.  Below,  was  a  maritime 
view,  representing  a  ship  under  full  sail.  The  whole  was 
handsomely  trimmed  with  evergreen.  At  the  entrance  of  the 
tent  on  the  inside,  on  a  direct  line  with  the  others,  was  an 
arch  with  the  following  inscription  : 

THE  UNITED  STATES  AND  THE  CANADAS  :  HARMONY,  PROSPERITY, 

AND  RECIPROCITY. 

In  the  centre  of  this  were  the  American  and  British  flags 
crossed,  with  two  clasped  hands — emblematic  of  the  above 
motto, — decorated  with  evergreen.  Farther  down  was  an 
arch,  with  the  following  motto  : 

AGRICULTURE,  COMMERCE,  AND  MANUFACTURES — THE  TRUE 
SOURCES  OF  OUR  NATIONAL  WEALTH. 

In  the  centre  of  this  was  a  marine  view,  with  vessels  under 
full  sail ;  a  city  in  the  distance  ;  in  the  foreground  a  steam¬ 
ship  in  the  process  of  erection.  On  the  arch,  on  the  oppo¬ 
site  side,  was  the  following  motto  and  design  : 

RAILROAD  JUBILEE,  SEPT.  1?TH,  18TH,  19tH,  1851. 

In  the  centre,  a  representation  of  a  train  of  cars  in  full 
career,  and  a  steamship  ploughing  the  water. 

At  the  lower  end  of  the  tent  was  an  arch,  with  this  motto : 

COLUMBIA,  THE  LAND  OF  LIBERTY,  THE  HOME  OF  ALL  NATIONS. 

In  the  centre,  were  the  British  and  American  flags,  crossed  ; 
clasped  hands  beneath ;  a  lion  on  one  side,  and  a  shield  on 
the  other. 

On  the  opposite  side  was  an  arch,  with  the  following  in¬ 
scription  : 

MERCANTILE  ENTERPRISE  ;  RAILROADS  AND  TELEGRAPHS. 

BOSTON  FROM  1630  TO  1851. 

In  the  centre  and  in  the  back-ground,  a  representation  of 
a  steamer  advancing  ;  the  old  pine  tree  on  the  left,  and  a 

train  of  cars  in  motion  on  the  right. 

20 


154 


The  whole  of  these  arches  were  very  prettily  decorated 
with  evergreen,  or  festooned  with  streamers  and  flags,  and 
added  much  to  the  beauty  of  the  scene. 

The  arrangement  of  the  tables  was  most  excellent.  Ex¬ 
tending  entirely  around  the  tent,  with  spaces  at  the  two 

entrances,  was  a  table  for  the  more  distinguished  guests,  on 

. 

a  raised  dais,  handsomely  carpeted.  Directly  opposite  the 
main  entrance,  and  at  the  other  (the  south-westerly)  end  of 
the  pavilion,  was  the  head  of  the  table,  running  perpendicu¬ 
larly  to  which  were  ten  tables,  extending  through  the  whole 
length  of  the  tent.  In  the  centre  of  the  side  next  West 
street,  was  another  entrance,  opening  into  a  broad  passage¬ 
way  running  at  right  angles  with  the  aisles  which  separated 
the  tables.  The  effect  of  this  very  convenient  arrangement, 
as  the  main  entrance  was  reached,  was  extremely  fine,  as,  at  a 
glance,  the  plan  of  the  whole  was  obvious. 

The  tables  were  capable  of  comfortably  accommodating 
thirty-six  hundred  persons,  and,  as  well  as  the  seats,  were 
covered  with  white  linen  and  supplied  with  the  best  of  re¬ 
freshments  and  eatables,  in  abundance.  The  viands  con¬ 
sisted  of  cold  roasted  and  boiled  fowls,  cold  roast  beef,  ham, 
tongues,  oyster  pie,  lobster  salad,  and  the  like,  very  neatly 
served,  and  garnished  with  pastry,  fruit,  and  flowers,  arrayed 
most  invitingly.  A  fragrant  little  bouquet  graced  each  tum¬ 
bler,  and  larger  ones,  in  elegant  vases,  adorned  the  tables  at 
regular  intervals. 

The  tent  was  erected  under  the  supervision  of  Col.  N.  A. 
Thompson,  of  the  City  Committee,  and  was  decorated  by 
Mr.  William  Beals.  The  dinner  was  under  the  immediate 
direction  of  Mr.  J.  B.  Smith,  and  did  him  much  credit. 

At  about  half  past  three,  the  procession  reached  the  tent, 
and,  with  great  quietness  and  order,  the  whole  immense 
area  was  filled  in  less  than  twenty  minutes. 

Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow  took  his  seat  in  the  centre  of  the  dais ; 
on  his  right  sat  Mr.  President  Fillmore,  and  on  his  left  Lord 
Elgin.  On  the  right  of  the  President,  were  seated  the  Hon. 
Messrs.  Stuart  and  Conrad,  of  his  Cabinet ;  and  on  the  left 
of  Lord  Elgin,  sat  the  Hon.  Mr.  Crampton,  the  British  Charge 


155 


de’  Affaires  at  Washington,  in  the  absence  of  Sir  Henry 

L.  Bulwer.  Taking  the  platform  westward,  were  noticed 
Mr.  Brinley,  President  of  the  Council ;  the  Hon.  Colonel 
Bruce,  the  Hon.  Francis  Hincks,  Inspector-General  of  the 
Canadas ;  Lord  Mark  Kerr,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Waldegrave,  the 
Hon.  Mr.  Price,  Commissioner  of  Crown  Lands ;  the  Hon. 
Mr.  Tache,  Rece iver.-  General  ;  the  Hon  Mr.  Bourret,  Chief 
Commissioner  of  Public  Works ;  Sir  Allan  N.  McNab,  M.  P.  P. ; 
the  Hon.  W.  B.  Robinson,  M.  P.  P. ;  Mr.  Solicitor  General 
McDonald,  of  Canada ;  Ex-Governor  Paine,  of  Vermont ; 
the  Hon.  H.  H.  Killaly,  Assistant  Commissioner  of  Public 
Works,  of  Canada  ;  the  Hon.  Edward  Everett,  the  Hon.  Jo- 
siah  duincy,  Sen. ;  His  Honor  John  G.  Bowes,  Mayor  of 
Toronto  ;  G.  Duggan,  Jr.,  Esq.,  Recorder  of  Toronto  ;  Rev. 
E.  Ryerson,  D.  D.,  Chief  Superintendent  of  Education  in 
Canada  West ;  Capt.  Robinson,  R.  N. ;  Rear  Admiral  Owen, 
R.  N. ;  Col.  Hemery,  Jersey,  England  ;  the  Hon.  Josiah  Quin¬ 
cy,  Jr. ;  Major  General  Edmands  and  Staff ;  Stuart  Chis¬ 
holm,  M.  D.,  Senior  Surgeon  of  the  Royal  Regiment  of 
Artillery  ,*  Lieut.  Archibald  Chisholm,  42d  Royal  Highland¬ 
ers  ;  the  Rev.  A.  Digby  Campbell,  of  Trinity  Church, 
Montreal  ;  Capt.  Harding,  Capt.  Webber  and  Capt.  New¬ 
man  ;  Lieut.  W.  A.  Bartlett,  U.  S.  N.  ;  Capt.  Nye,  of  the 
20th  Reg.  of  the  British  Army ;  Mr.  Wm.  G.  Thompson, 
54th  Reg. ;  Mr.  Hughes,  of  the  G.  M.  Department ;  Drs. 
Rutherford  and  Barrett,  of  the  Medical  Staff ;  Dr.  Lowber,  of 
the  U.  S.  Navy;  Capt.  Marjory,  of  the  54th  Reg. ;  Dr.  Wright, 
of  the  U.  S.  Navy ;  Capt.  Jones,  of  the  54th  Reg.  ;  Dep. 
Asst.  Com.  Gen.  Webb  ;  Capt.  Stevens,  20th  Reg. ;  Mr.  J.  R. 
Pilkinton,  Royal  Engineers;  Capts.  Sweedenham  and  Swan, 
of  the  54th  Reg. ;  John  Egan,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.  ;  Mr.  John 
Ferrie,  Hamilton,  C.  W.  ;  Mr.  W.  Gillespie,  Capt.  Percival, 
U.  S.  N.  ;  Mr.  Robert  Maitland,  of  Toronto ;  Mr.  Thomas 
Davidson,  of  Toronto ;  Edmund  A.  Grattan,  Esq.,  H.  B. 

!  ,•  |  j*  t 

M.  Consul  for  Massachusetts,  and  S.  S.  Lewis,  Esq.,  of  this 
City. 

On  the  eastern  wing  of  the  platform,  on  the  right  of  the 
members  of  the  U.  S.  Cabinet,  were  seen  His  Excellency, 


156 


Gov.  Boutwell ;  Lieut.  Col.  H.  A.  Williams,  Governor’s  Aid  ; 
Maj.  Sherman,  U.  S.  A.,  of  Fort  Adams;  Hon.  William  B. 
Lawrence,  Acting  Governor  of  Rhode  Island  ;  Gen.  Pitman, 
of  Rhode  Island  ;  Messrs.  Aldermen  Rogers,  Briggs,  Holbrook, 
Grant,  Kimball,  Munroe,  Clark  and  Smith  ;  Rev.  Dr.  Bigelow, 
of  Boston ;  the  Hon.  John  P.  Hale,  Senator  in  Congress  from 
New  Hampshire  ;  the  Hon.  Joseph  Grinnell ;  the  Hon.  Alex¬ 
ander  Stewart,  Master  of  the  Rolls  of  Nova  Scotia;  the  Hon. 
J.  H.  Duncan,  and  the  Hon.  Benj.  Thompson,  Reps,  in  Con¬ 
gress  from  Massachusetts  ;  the  Hon.  Joseph  Howe,  Provincial 
Sec.  of  Nova  Scotia;  the  Hon.  P.  H.  Moore,  member  of  the 
Legislative  Council  of  the  Canadas  ;  the  Hon.  William  Young, 
Speaker  of  the  N.  S.  House  of  Assembly;  the  Hon.  Col. 
Gugy,  M.  P.  P.  ;  Oliver  Berthelot,  Esq.,  of  Montreal;  Mr. 
Sheriff  Thomas,  of  the  counties  of  Wentworth  and  Halton  ; 
Mr.  Sheriff  Smith,  of  the  county  of  Simcoe,  on  Lake  Huron  ; 
and  James  Stewart,  Esq.,  of  Halifax. 

The  aspect  of  the  vast  assembly,  when  the  tables  were 
filled,  was  beyond  description  striking.  There  was  a  vast 
sea  of  human  brotherhood  under  a  firmament  of  flags ;  and 
in  that,  were  many  distinguished  personages  of  both  hem¬ 
ispheres. 

The  assembled  thousands  having  at  last  been  seated, 
which,  though  not  a  thing  to  be  accomplished  at  once, 
was  done  in  a  most  orderly  manner ; 

The  Rev.  Andrew  Bigelow,  D.D.,  (Chaplain  of  the  Day,) 
rose  and,  in  the  following  words,  invoked  the  Divine  bless- 
in0,  * 

0  God  our  Father ;  Giver  of  life,  and  Parent  of  all  good ! 
Thou  hast  nourished  and  brought  us  up  —  hast  fed  us  with  thy 
bountiful  hand — and  vouchsafed  to  us  all  our  capacities  for 
improvement  and  happiness. 

Great  has  been  thy  favor  to  the  people  of  this  land.  Peace 
and  plenty,  the  sources  of  personal  and  national  prosperity,  civil 
liberty,  the  lights  of  knowledge,  the  means  of  moral  and  relig¬ 
ious  instruction  thou  hast  abundantly  provided  and  opened  up. 
Blessings  in  profusion  thou  hast  showered  upon  us ;  blessings  in 
the  city  and  in  the  field ;  blessings  in  our  basket  and  in  our  store  ; 
blessings  in  the  fruits  of  the  ground,  and  the  treasures  drawn 


157 


from  the  sea  and  the  sands.  These  thy  mercies  proportionally 
enhance  our  responsibilities.  May  they  be  duly  pondered  and 
weighed.  Let  not  our  hearts  be  lifted  up  to  a  forgetfulness  of 
Thee.  But  where  success  follows  upon  the  work  of  our  hands, 
on  the  sweat  of  our  brows,  or  the  travail  of  our  souls,  may  the 
praise  and  honor  be  rendered  to  Thee  who  giveth  life  and  health 
and  breath  and  all  things — the  strength  to  toil,  the  skill  to  plan, 
and  means  to  execute. 

Continue  to  us,  we  entreat  thee,  thy  benignant  smiles.  Sanc¬ 
tify  our  privileges.  Bless  every  useful  industrial  pursuit  prose¬ 
cuted  among  us.  Multiply  the  commercial,  and  strengthen  the 
friendly  and  social  ties  which  knit  us  to  our  fellow  kind.  And  do 
thou,  0  Father,  who  hast  made  of  one  blood  all  the  nations  of 
the  earth,  unite  them  in  one  great  family.  Teach  them  to  be 
lovers  of  concord.  May  they  drink  of  the  spirit  of  a  common 
Lord  and  Saviour.  May  rulers  and  people,  princes  and  subjects 
alike  bow  to  the  sceptre  of  his  grace.  May  they  learn  from  him, 
along  with  the  truth  which  sanctifies,  the  arts  which  conduce  to 
humanity,  to  civilization  and  peace.  May  wars  and  fightings, 
cruelty  and  injustice,  the  lust  of  aggression  and  conquest,  and 
every  species  of  iron  despotism  over  the  bodies,  the  consciences 
and  the  souls  of  men,  come  to  a  speedy  end.  May  the  sons  of 
violence  and  strife  beat  their  swords  into  ploughshares,  and  their 
spears  into  pruning  hooks.  May  animosities  amongst  nations, 
uncharitableness  betwixt  sects,  bitterness  between  man  and  man, 
every  where  cease.  And  may  the  wise  and  equitable,  the  be¬ 
nign  and  merciful  principles  of  the  gospel  of  grace  and  truth, 
obtain  an  universal  and  perpetual  prevalence. 

And  now,  0  Father,  look  down,  we  beseech  thee,  with  special 
favor  upon  us  thy  children,  on  the  present  occasion.  Smile  upon 
this  vast  assemblage, — and  the  purposes,  so  bright  in  promise,  for 
which  it  has  been  gathered  here,  and  within  our  city  walls,  at  this 
season  jubilant.  May  they  be  crowned  with  joyful  issues.  Bless 
them  who  exercise  rule — the  Executive  Head  of  our  country,  and 
other  distinguished  functionaries  of  this  Nation,  its  several  States, 
and  our  City.  Blesg  the  Governor  in  chief  and  others  in  au¬ 
thority,  with  the  many  associated  guests,  here  welcomed  from 
neighboring  Provinces ;  and  all  of  every  rank  and  class  brought 
together,  in  this  auspicious  hour,  around  this  festive  board. 

Bless,  Father,  the  fruits  of  thy  bounty  spread  before  us.  May 
thy  hand  be  seen  in  them  all.  Help  us  to  connect  a  sense  of  thy 
goodness  with  every  comfort  we  receive.  Whilst  we  partake  and 
are  made  glad,  may  we  rejoice  in  the  Lord.  And  now  as  at  all 
times,  whether  we  eat  or  drink  or  whatever  we  do,  may  we  do  all 
to  Thy  glory,  through  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


/ 


158 


In  about  fifteen  minutes  after  the  commencement  of  the 
repast,  His  Honor  the  Mayor  rose  and  said — 

I  deeply  regret  to  announce,  that  the  President  feels  obliged  to 
leave  us,  thus  early  in  the  feast,  on  his  return  to  Washington, — 
the  hour  for  the  departure  of  the  train  having  arrived.  Let  not, 
however,  the  misfortune  of  his  withdrawal  befal  our  assemblage 
before  we  proffer  him  our  respects  in  the  usual  manner :  [Ap¬ 
plause.] 

I  propose — 

“  The  Health  of  the  President  of  the  United  States.” 

When  the  enthusiastic  cheers,  which  this  sentiment  called 
forth,  had  subsided,  the  President  rose  and  responded  to  the 
compliment  as  follows — 

Mr.  Mayor  and  Fellow  Citizens  : 

In  acknowledging  the  compliment  which  you  have  paid  to  the 
high  office  which  it  is  my  fortune  to  hold,  I  rise  rather  for  the 
purpose  of  excusing  myself  than  to  make  an  address. 

You  have  been  pleased  to  drink  my  health.  I  would  that  it 
were  as  perfect  on  this  occasion  as  it  usually  is ;  but  unfortunately 
for  me,  a  slight  indisposition  within  the  last  twenty-four  hours  has 
deprived  me  of  the  pleasure  I  should  have  enjoyed  this  day  in 
participating  in  your  exercises ;  and  I  am  now  incapable  of  par¬ 
taking  of  the  tempting  viands  under  which  your  miles  of  table 
groan.  Indeed  I  am  scarcely  able  to  enjoy  “  the  feast  of  reason 
and  the  flow  of  soul.”  And  more  than  all  this,  I  am  compelled 
by  imperious  circumstances  to  leave  you  thus  early  in  the  ban¬ 
quet,  because  I  feel  that  my  public  duties  require  that  I  should  be 
at  Washington  with  the  utmost  possible  despatch.  I  have  stolen 
from  the  hours  that  were,  perhaps,  due  to  the  Nation  a  brief  space 
to  meet  my  fellow  citizens  of  Boston.  [Applause.]  I  meet  you 
as  citizens  of  Boston.  On  this  festive  occasion  we  know  no  party 
distinction.  [Applause.]  Nay,  more,  we  scarcely  know  a  na¬ 
tional  distinction.  [Great  applause  and  cheering.]  There  are 
gathered  at  this  board  the  Briton  and  the  American,  living  under 
different  laws,  but,  thank  God,  representing  two  of  the  freest  na¬ 
tions  under  the  sun.  [Cheering.]  The  asperity  that  was  engen¬ 
dered  by  the  revolution  which  separated  us  from  our  mother 
country,  I  am  happy  to  say,  has  long  since  disappeared,  and  we 
meet  like  brethren  of  the  same  family.  Speaking  the  same 
language,  and  enjoying  the  same  religion — arc  we  not  one  ? 
[Applause.] 

I  trust,  Fellow  Citizens,  that  the  unfortunate  necessity  which 
compels  me  to  leave  you  thus  early  on  this  occasion,  will  induce 


159 


no  one  to  leave  the  table  on  mj  account.  I  trust  particularly 
that  his  Lordship,  the  Governor  General  of  Canada,  will  remain 
with  you.  [Applause.]  I  know  that  he,  and  those  with  whom 
he  is  associated,  will  receive  from  you,  as  they  have  already  re¬ 
ceived,  a  most  cordial  greeting.  [Applause.] 

Fellow  Citizens; — I  cannot  say  more,  but  my  heart  is  full.  I 
had  no  conception  of  what  I  have  witnessed  to-day  from  my  win¬ 
dow.  I  thought,  when  I  entered  your  city,  that  I  saw  Boston  in 
all  its  glory.  I  knew  that  it  had  its  “  merchant  princes,”  but  I 
did  not  know  until  to-day,  that  it  had  its  mechanic  noblemen  of 
nature.  [Great  applause  and  cheering.] 

But,  Fellow  Citizens,  pardon  me,  and  permit  me  to  bid  you 
adieu.  I  can  assure  you  that  this  joyous  occasion  will  be  remem¬ 
bered  by  me,  and  that,  to  the  latest  hour  of  my  life,  I  shall  look 
back  upon  it  with  delight.  May  our  glorious  Union,  which  sheds 
its  inestimable  blessings  over  twenty-five  millions  of  happy  people, 
continue  until  time  shall  be  no  more.  [Nine  cheers.] 

As  soon  as  silence  was  restored,  Lord  Elgin  rose  and 
said — 

One  single  word.  [Three  cheers.]  I  should  have  felt  it  my 
bounden  duty  to  follow  the  President  of  the  United  States  out  of 
this  room,  if  he  had  not  interposed  to  prevent  me  from  doing  so. 
But  I  do  not  forget  that  while  I  am  on  the  territory  of  the  United 
States,  I  am  under  his  authority.  [Applause.]  As,  therefore,  he 
has  imposed  upon  me  his  commands  to  remain  with  you,  most 
certainly  I  shall  remain.  [Applause.]  And  I  must  say  that  I 
never  received  an  order,  which  more  completely  jumped  with  my 
own  wishes.  [Laughter  and  applause.] 

The  President,  after  having  cordially  shaken  hands  with 
Lord  Elgin,*  the  Mayor  and  others,  left  the  Pavilion ;  when 
the  Hon.  A.  H.  H.  Stewart,  having  been  called  upon,  replied 
briefly  as  follows — 

Gentlemen, — 

I  have  no  time  to  respond  to  your  flattering  call  for  a  speech. 
The  President  has  told  you  that  the  hour  for  our  departure  has 
come.  I  can  only  speak  with  the  manly  frankness  of  a  true 
Virginian,  and  say,  God  bless  Massachusetts !  God  bless  New 
England  !  God  bless  you  all !  [Applause.] 

*  As  the  President  held  Lord  Elgin’s  hand  for  a,  considerable  time,  across  the 
breast  of  the  mayor  (whose  position  intervened,)  the  cheers  of  the  company  were 
deafening  and  prolonged, — seemingly  ratifying  the  cordial  relations,  so  indicated, 
as  existing  between  the  kindred  nations,  and  recognizing  Boston  as  furnishing  a, 
new  bond  of  mutual  good-will. 


160 


A  like  call  was  made  upon  the  Hon.  Charles  M.  Conrad, 
to  which  he  responded  as  follows — 

Gentlemen, — 

I  am  summoned  to  depart,  otherwise  I  should  have  taken  great 
pleasure  in  addressing  a  few  remarks  to  you,  on  this,  one  of  the 
most  agreeable  moments  of  my  life.  I  go  away  from  Boston  with 
the  frank  declaration — although  I  said  a  few  days  ago  that  I  was 
not  a  stranger  upon  your  soil — with  the  frank  declaration  that  I 
have  never  before  known  what  Boston  was.  [Applause.]  I  have 
never  before  known  the  heartiness,  the  cordiality,  the  warmth,  of 
the  true  New  England  character.  But  the  acquaintance,  I  have 
now  had  the  happiness  to  make  with  it,  satisfies  me  that  it  has 
not  degenerated  from  that  of  the  forefathers  of  the  country. 
I  regret  exceedingly  that  I  am  compelled  to  take  this  unceremo¬ 
nious  and  abrupt  departure,  and  to  interrupt  the  flow  of  your 
festivity  by  so  sudden  a  retreat ;  but  you  know  the  necessity  for 
it.  The  President  awaits  me,  and  I  bid  you  farewell — I  hope  a 
short  farewell,  and  that  it  will  not  be  long  before  I  shall  have  an 
opportunity  to  revisit  Boston,  and  to  pay  my  respects  to  her 
citizens,  and  especially  to  friends  with  whose  public  life  I  have 
long  been  acquainted,  but  whose  acquaintance  I  have  now  formed 
in  their  private  capacity,  and  at  home.  Gentlemen,  I  bid  you 
farewell,  and  wish  to  all  of  you,  all  possible  prosperity  and  happi¬ 
ness.  [Applause.] 

Messrs.  Stuart  and  Conrad,  then  having  taken  a  courte¬ 
ous  leave  of  Lord  Elgin,  the  Mayor  and  others,  left  the 
pavilion. 

The  Mayor, — Lord  Elgin  says  he  is  not  afraid  to  shake 
hands  even  with  our  Secretary  of  War.  [Laughter.] 

Due  attention  was  then  given  to  the  more  commonplace 
but  equally  obvious  duties  of  the  occasion,  which  had  been 
entirely  neglected  during  this  episode,  and  a  sufficient  time 
was  allowed  to  do  justice  to  the  really  excellent  repast  which 
had  been  provided. 

The  Mayor  then  arose,  and  introduced  the  more  attractive 
and  important  part  of  the  banquet  as  follows — 

Gentlemen, — 

This  is  a  proud  and  memorable  day  for  Boston.  We  commemo¬ 
rate  the  completion  of  -works  that  cannot  fail  to  enhance  her 
wealth  and  greatness  ;  and  the  celebration  is  honored  by  an 
assemblage  as  truly  noble  as  was  ever  convened  for  similar  pur- 


161 


poses,  in  this  or  any  other  country.  It  is  a  vast  gathering  of  the 
Anglo-Saxons  (and  those  of  other  races  who  have  united  with 
them)  of  North  America.  The  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Ameri¬ 
can  branch  of  that  great  family  has  come  to  the  feast,  and  saluted 
his  children, — while  the  Governor  General  of  Canada  is  here  to 
speak  for  our  kindred  under  British  rule.  The  elder  and  the 
younger  brothers  are  sitting  at  one  common  table. 

The  meeting  being  thus  held,  under  the  apparent  auspices  of 
two  mighty  nations,  with  the  ceremonies  appropriate  to  their  ob¬ 
ject,  calls  to  mind,  not  unnaturally,  the  celebrated  meeting  of 
Henry  of  England  and  Francis  of  France,  with  their  followers, 
upon  the  “  Field  of  the  Cloth  of  Gold.”  Splendid  as  was  that 
pageant,  the  lustre  of  which  is  unsurpassed  in  the  annals  of  pomp, 
yet  in  moral  grandeur  it  does  not  compare  with  this  less  ambitious 
gathering.  That  meeting  was  arranged  for  the  purpose  of  consoli¬ 
dating  alliances,  and  planning  wars,  for  the  personal  aggrandize¬ 
ment  of  the  high  contracting  parties, — u  to  shut  the  gates  of  mercy 
on  mankind.”  This  meeting  is  held  to  celebrate  the  triumphs  of  the 
arts  of  Peace ;  to  rejoice  in  the  result  of  enterprises  which  tend 
to  cultivate  good  will  among  men,  to  promote  their  material  inter¬ 
ests,  and  augment  the  sum  of  human  happiness. 

Boston  takes  occasion,  in  this  presence,  to  acknowledge,  with 
honest  pride,  that  her  founders  were  Britons.  We  claim,  as  New 
Englanders,  that  the  history  of  the  British  people,  until  a  compara¬ 
tively  recent  period,  is  our  history, — that  the  poets,  statesmen, 
philosophers,  patriots,  and  warriors, — in  a  word,  the  myriads  of 
the  good  and  great,  who  for  many  centuries  contributed  to 
the  happiness  and  glory  of  the  British  Isles,  were  the  brethren, 
the  fellow-countrymen  of  our  ancestors.  Indeed,  when  we  hear 
it  said  that  “  the  sun  never  sets  upon  the  dominions  of  Great 
Britain,”  we  think  of  it  with  kindred  interest, — principally,  how¬ 
ever,  in  reference  to  a  great  moral  fact,  rather  than  the  question 
of  her  mere  territorial  greatness.  That  colossal  empire  may 
crumble  and  fall  in  pieces :  but  the  sun  will  never  cease  to  shine 
upon  regions,  all  round  the  globe,  where  principles  or  institutions 
derived  from  Britons  or  their  American  brethren,  will  exist  and 
flourish  for  the  enlightenment  and  happiness  of  mankind. 

These  views,  of  the  progress  and  position  of  our  common  race, 
lead  to  the  consideration  of  the  special  purpose,  for  which  this  goodly 
company  is  now  convened.  It  is,  that  we  may  rejoice  together 
upon  the  accomplishment  of  gigantic  enterprises,  uniting  this  city 
with  Canada  and  the  Great  West,  in  social  and  business  relations 
of  the  most  auspicious  character  to  all  parties  concerned.  The 
pledge  that  Boston  gives  that  she  has  the  spirit  and  ability  to 
improve  these  new  advantages,  is  a  reference  to  the  fact  that  she 
became  a  large  and  an  important  city,  long  before  she  possessed 
any  facilities  of  intercourse  with  the  interior,  other  than  our  com- 


162 


mon  roads.  The  sterile  soil,  the  rugged  surface,  the  stem  climate, 
and  deficiency  of  navigable  streams  in  New  England,  would  have 
seemed  to  render  it  improbable  that  it  would  ever  be  considerably 
peopled,  or  that  any  great  commercial  mart  would  arise  within  its 
borders.  But  the  principles  of  civil  and  religious  freedom,  estab¬ 
lished  by  the  Pilgrims  and  their  successors,  aided  by  the  universal 
diffusion  of  education,  gave  rise  to  a  spirit  of  intelligent  industry, 
which  overcame  every  obstacle  to  prosperity  and  wealth.  The 
region  sneeringly  stigmatized  as  having  “  no  natural  productions 
but  granite  and  ice,”  now  teems  with  three  millions  of  the  children 
of  freedom,  and  its  metropolis  has  long  since  ranked  with  the  prom¬ 
inent  cities  of  the  globe.  Recently,  science  and  art,  backed  by 
the  accumulated  wealth  of  two  centuries  of  industrious  thrift,  have 
come  to  our  aid,  to  relieve  us  from  the  natural  isolation  of  our  posi¬ 
tion.  Hills  have  been  cut  in  sunder,  vallies  have  been  filled  up, 
and  running  waters  have  been  spanned,  to  facilitate  our  communi¬ 
cation  with  every  section  of  the  land.  Our  iron  pathways  are  our 
rivers,  and  they  more  than  compensate  for  deficiency  of  natural 
channels.  They  follow  the  routes,  and  terminate  at  the  exact 
points,  indicated  by  our  judgment  or  wishes.  They  allow  of 
velocity  of  transit,  of  which  no  water  courses  admit ;  they  are 
never  frozen  by  the  winter’s  blast,  nor  is  their  passage  dangerous 
in  autumnal  storms.  And  now,  from  the  North  and  the  South, 
from  the  East  and  the  West,  they  roll  down  to  us  their  precious 
argosies,  laden  with  the  products  of  a  continent.  A  people  vTho 
could  achieve  a  distinguished  mercantile  position  under  most  dis¬ 
couraging  and  repelling  circumstances,  may  be  depended  upon  to 
avail  themselves,  to  the  full,  of  these,  their  new  and  extraordinary 
advantages. 

I  have  alluded  to  our  Puritan  forefathers,  and  I  should  be 
unworthy  of  the  trust  which  their  descendants  have  committed  to 
my  hands,  if  I  did  not  pay  an  affectionate  tribute  to  their  memory, 
on  an  occasion  like  this.  Boston  owes  to  them  not  only  her  exis¬ 
tence,  but  the  principles  and  institutions  which  have  illustrated  her 
history,  and  given  her  a  name  and  an  eminent  rank  among  the 
cities  of  the  earth.  Pioneers’  of  modern  emigration — virtual 
founders  of  an  empire, — they  sleep  in  their  humble  graves,  by  the 
hill-side  or  in  the  valley,  with  rarely  a  stone  to  mark  their  dwell¬ 
ings  of  rest.  But  Boston  is  their  especial  monument,  and  the  influ¬ 
ence  of  their  lives  and  actions  pervades  the  world.  It  is  true  that 
the  Pilgrims  had  errors  of  judgment  and  practice,  which  I  will 
neither  palliate  nor  deny ;  but  these  vTere  as  spots  on  the  sun, 
compared  with  their  substantial  virtues.  It  is  true  that  they  not 
unfrequently  manifested  an  exclusive  spirit,  and  exercised  that 
persecuting  intolerance  in  the  wilderness,  which  they  had  de¬ 
nounced,  and  fled  from,  in  Europe.  But  even  their  most  repelling 


163 


and  objectionable  points  of  character  had,  under  God,  a  manifest 
influence  in  fulfilling  his  great  designs.  They  prevented  the  pres¬ 
ence,  or  interference,  of  meddlesome  adventurers,  who  had  little 
sympathy  for  the  cause  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  or  impracti¬ 
cable  enthusiasts,  whose  teachings  and  conduct  practically  tended 
to  retard  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  “  the  Christian  Common¬ 
wealth.”  In  this  connection,  my  Lord,  [here  the  Mayor  turned 
to  the  Earl  of  Elgin,]  permit  me  to  borrow  an  illustration  from 
the  thistle,  which  is  the  national  emblem  of  your  own  glorious  old 
Scotland.  Its  flower  opens  to  the  light  amidst  thorns  and  briery 
foliage.  But  these  are  its  safeguards ;  they  repel  the  intrusive 
hand  of  the  spoiler,  and  enable  it  to  bloom  in  beauty  and  in 
peace. 

But  I  will  no  longer  postpone  the  salutations,  which  Boston 
respectfully  tenders,  on  this  joyous  occasion.  To-morrow  our 
festival  will  have  terminated ;  our  tents  of  jubilee  will  be  struck, 
and  many  of  you  will  be  far  away  on  your  return  to  your 
pleasant  homes.  But  to-day  you  are  our  honored  guests.  I  bid 
you  welcome,  rulers  and  ruled ;  statesmen,  scholars,  soldiers,  far¬ 
mers,  mechanics  and  merchants.  Welcome !  ye  from  the  banks 
of  the  Ottawa,  the  Chaudiere,  the  St.  Lawrence,  the  Niagara,  and 
the  St.  John.  Welcome  from  the  shores  of  Erie,  Ontario,  Hu¬ 
ron,  Michigan  and  Superior.  Welcome,  from  the  borders  of  the 
Penobscot,  Kennebec,  Connecticut,  Hudson,  Delaware,  Susque- 
hannah  and  Potomac, — the  waters  of  the  sunny  South,  and  of  the 
Valley  of  the  Mississippi  and  her  tributaries.  Welcome  from  every 
city,  town  and  hamlet  which  is  here  represented.  Welcome ! 
Englishmen,  Scotchmen,  Irishmen,  Frenchmen,  Germans  and 
Americans.  Welcome  !  thrice  welcome  !  are  you  all,  to  the  Pil¬ 
grim  City,  and  the  Pilgrim  Feast ! 

This  address  was  listened  to  with  marked  attention,  and 
repeated  bursts  of  applause.  The  allusion  to  the  Thistle  of 
Scotland  was  particularly  well  received.  After  a  brief  pause, 
the  Mayor  again  arose  and  proposed  the  following  sentiment  : 

“  The  health  of  her  Majesty,  the  Queen  of  the  United  Kingdom 
of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland.” 

This  toast  was  received  with  nine  such  cheers  as  would 
have  made  her  Majesty,  had  she  been  present,  forget  that  she 
was  beyond  the  limits  of  her  own  dominions  ;  and  the  band 
struck  up  the  tune  “  God  save  the  Queen,”  as  if  to  complete 
the  illusion. 

Lord  Elgin,  in  rising  to  respond  to  the  sentiment,  was  most 
cordially  greeted,  and  spoke  as  follows  : 


164 


Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen, — 

It  is  not  very  customary,  with  us,  for  any  individual  to  take  it 
upon  himself  to  return  thanks  for  the  toast  which  you  have  just 
now  so  cordially,  so  enthusiastically  drank.  I  feel  an  additional 
difficulty  in  rising  to  discharge  that  duty  at  this  time,  because  I 
have  at  my  left  hand  a  gentleman  who  fills  an  important  diplomatic 
situation  in  this  country,  [alluding  to  the  Hon.  Mr.  Crampton] 
and  from  whom  a  response  to  this  toast  would  come,  perhaps,  more 
appropriately  than  from  myself.  In  obedience,  however,  to  the  call 
of  His  Honor,  the  Mayor,  and  in  compliance,  I  believe,  with  the 
wishes  of  my  friend  on  the  left,  I  rise  to  express,  in  the  name  of  all 
British  subjects  here  present — for  I  feel  that  every  one  of  them 
has  an  equal  right  with  myself  to  answer  this  toast — Canadians, 
Englishmen,  Scotchmen  and  Irishmen, — on  behalf  of  all  I  beg 
leave  to  express  our  cordial  and  hearty  thanks  for  the  manner  in 
which  this  toast  has  been  received  by  you. 

Gentlemen,  as  I  have  the  honor  to  address  a  company  which 
consists,  in  the  greater  part,  of  persons  who  live  under  different 
institutions  from  myself,  perhaps  I  may  he  permitted  to  observe 
that  we  British  subjects  honor  and  respect  our  Queen,  not  only 
because  of  her  exemplary  character,  her  many  public  and  private 
virtues,  and  the  singular  tact  and  firmness  which  has  enabled  her 
to  secure  the  well-being  of  her  own  people,  and  to  promote  cor¬ 
diality  and  good  will  among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  but  also 
because  we  recognize,  in  the  constitutional  and  hereditary  throne 
upon  which  she  is  seated,  the  symbol  of  our  national  unity,  and 
the  type  of  the  continuity  of  our  existence  as  a  people.  [Ap¬ 
plause.] 

Allow  me,  Gentlemen,  as  there  seems  to  be  in  America  some 
little  misconception  on  these  points,  to  observe,  that  Ave,  monarch¬ 
ists  though  Ave  be,  enjoy  the  advantages  of  self-government,  of 
popular  elections,  of  deliberative  assemblies,  with  their  attendant 
blessings  of  caucuses,  stump  orators,  lobbyings  and  log-rollings — 
[Laughter] — and  I  am  not  sure  but  we  sometimes  have  a  little 
pipe-laying — [lleneAved  laughter] — almost,  if  not  altogether,  in 
equal  perfection  Avith  yourselves.  I  must  own,  Gentlemen,  that  I 
Avas  exceedingly  amused  the  other  day,  Avhen  one  of  the  gentle¬ 
men  Avho  did  me  the  honor  to  visit  me  at  Toronto,  bearing  the  invi¬ 
tation  of  the  Common  Council  and  the  Corporation  of  the  City  of 
Boston,  obserAred  to  me,  with  the  utmost  gravity,  that  he  had  been 
delighted  to  find,  upon  entering  our  Legislative  Assembly  at 
Toronto,  that  there  was  quite  as  much  liberty  of  speech  there  as 
in  any  body  of  the  kind  he  had  ever  A’isited.  [Laughter.]  I 
could  not  help  thinking  that  if  my  kind  friend  Avould  only  favor  us 
with  his  company  in  Canada  for  a  feAV  Aveeks,  we  should  be  able  to 


demonstrate,  to  his  entire  satisfaction,  that  the  tongue  is  quite  as 
“  unruly”  a  “  member  ”  on  the  north  side  of  the  line  as  on  this  side. 
[Renewed  laughter.] 

Now,  Gentlemen,  you  must  not  expect  it,  for  I  have  not  the 
voice  for  it,  and  I  cannot  pretend  to  undertake  to  make  a  regular 
speech  to  you.  I  belong  to  a  people  who  are  notoriously  slow  of 
speech.  [Laughter.]  If  any  doubt  ever  existed  on  this  point,  it 
must  have  been  set  at  rest  by  the  verdict  which  a  high  authority 
has  recently  pronounced.  A  distinguished  American- — a  member 
of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  who  has  lately  been  in  Eng¬ 
land,  informs  his  countrymen,  on  his  return,  that  sadly  backward 
as  poor  John  Bull  is  in  many  things,  in  no  one  particular  does  he 
make  so  lamentable  a  failure  as  when  he  tries  his  hand  at  public 
speaking.  [Laughter.]  Now,  Gentlemen,  deferring,  as  I  feel 
bound  to  do,  to  that  high  authority,  and  conscious  that  in  no  par¬ 
ticular  do  I  more  faithfully  represent  my  countrymen  than  in  my 
stammering  tongue  and  embarrassed  utterance,  [continued  laugh¬ 
ter,]  you  may  judge  what  my  feelings  are  when  I  am  asked  to 
address  an  assembly  like  this,  convened  under  the  hospitable  aus¬ 
pices  of  the  Corporation  of  Boston,  I  believe  to  the  tune  of  some 
four  thousand,  in  this  State  of  Massachusetts,  a  State  which  is  so 
famous  for  its  orators  and  its  statesmen,  a  State  that  can  boast  of 
Franklins,  and  Adamses,  and  Everetts,  and  Winthrops  and  Law¬ 
rences,  and  Sumners  and  Bigelows,  and  a  host  of  other  distin¬ 
guished  men  ;  a  State,  moreover,  which  is  the  chosen  home,  if  not 
the  birthplace  of  the  illustrious  Secretary  of  State  of  the  American 
Union.  [Applause.] 

But,  Gentlemen,  although  I  cannot  make  a  speech  to  you,  I 
must  tell  you,  in  the  plain  and  homely  way  in  which  John  Bull 
tries  to  express  his  feelings  when  his  heart  is  full — that  is  to  say, 
when  they  do  not  choke  him  and  prevent  his  utterance  altogether 
[sensation] — in  that  homely  way  I  must  express  to  you  how 
deeply  grateful  I  and  all  who  are  with  me  [hear,  hear,]  feel  for 
the  kind  and  gratifying  reception  we  have  met  with  in  the  city  of 
Boston.  For  myself,  I  may  say  that  the  citizens  of  Boston  could 
not  have  conferred  upon  me  a  greater  favor  than  that  which  they 
have  conferred,  in  inviting  me  to  this  festival,  and  in  thus  enabling 
me  not  only  to  receive  the  hand  of  kindness  which  has  been 
extended  to  me  by  the  authorities  of  the  city  and  of  the  State, 
but  also  giving  me  the  opportunity,  which  I  never  had  before,  and 
perhaps  may  never  have  again,  of  paying  my  respects  to  the  Presi¬ 
dent  of  the  United  States.  [Applause.]  And  although  it  would  ill 
become  me,  a  stranger,  to  presume  to  eulogise  the  conduct  or  the 
services  of  President  Fillmore,  yet  as  a  bystander,  as  an  observer, 
and  by  no  means  an  indifferent  or  careless  observer,  of  your  pro¬ 
gress  and  prosperity,  I  think  I  may  venture  to  affirm  that  it  is  the 
opinion  of  all  impartial  men  that  President  Fillmore  will  occupy 


166 


an  honorable  place  on  the  roll  of  illustrious  men  on  whom  the 
mantle  of  Washington  has  fallen.  [Applause  and  cheers.] 

Somebody  must  write  to  the  President,  and  tell  him  how  that 
remark  about  him  was  received.  [Laughter.] 

Gentlemen :  I  have  always  felt  a  very  deep  interest  in  the  pro¬ 
gress  of  the  lines  of  railway  communication,  of  which  we  are  now 
assembled  to  celebrate  the  completion.  The  first  railway  that  I 
ever  travelled  upon  in  North  America  forms  part  of  the  iron  band 
which  now  unites  Montreal  to  Boston.  I  had  the  pleasure,  about 
five  years  ago,  of  travelling  with  a  friend  of  mine,  whom  I  see  now 
present — Governor  Paine — I  think  as  far  as  Concord,  upon  that 
line. 

Ex-Gov.  Paine,  of  Vermont — It  was  Franklin. 

Lord  Elgin — 'He  contradicts  me  ;  he  says  it  was  not  Concord, 
but  Franklin ;  but  I  will  make  a  statement  'which  I  am  sure  he 
will  not  contradict ;  it  is  this — that  although  we  travelled  together 
two  or  three  days—- after  leaving  the  cars,  over  bad  roads,  and  in 
all  sorts  of  queer  conveyances,  we  never  reached  a  place  which 
we  could  with  any  propriety  have  christened  Discord.  [Laughter 
and  applause.] 

But,  Gentlemen,  although  I  take  a  deep  interest  in  these  lines, 
I  must  tell  you,  because  I  never  wish  to  sail  under  false  colors, 
that  the  interest  which  I  take  in  them  is  not  exclusive  :  for  I  am 
free  to  confess  that  there  are  other  lines,  some  in  progress  and 
some  prospective,  which  are  destined  to  connect  Canada  with  the 
Ocean,  in  which  I  feel  an  interest  not  less  lively.  But  I  come 
here  to  express  my  sense  of  the  great  obligation  which  the 
trading  interests  of  America  generally,  those  of  Canada  included, 
owe  to  the  citizens  of  Boston,  for  their  liberality  and  enterprise, 
not  only  because  they  have  opened  new  channels  of  trade,  but 
also  because  by  their  great  outlay  in  these  works,  as  stated  by 
the  Mayor,  and  by  the  satisfactory  results  of  these  outlays,  they 
have  shown  how  materially  the  settlement  of  a  new  country  may 
be  advanced,  how  greatly  the  value  of  property  may  be  in¬ 
creased,  and  how  largely  the  aggregate  wealth  of  the  community 
may  be  augmented  by  expenditures  of  this  kind,  when  judiciously 
conducted.  I  think  that  from  your  example  we  Canadians  will 
return  home,  certainly  not  “sadder,”  but  “wiser”  men  than  we 
came  here.  [Applause.] 

There  was,  also,  allow  me  to  say  it,  another  reason  for  my 
coming  here  at  this  time.  I  wanted  to  show  by  my  presence  here, 
that  I  appreciate  and  value  the  moral  and  social,  as  well  as  the 
economical  effects  of  these  increased  facilities  of  intercourse.  By 
coming  here  over  your  lines,  to  tender  to  you  the  hand  of  good 
fellowship,  I  wanted  to  show  that  I  was  aware  that  your  lines  are 
made  for  the  transport  of  men  and  women,  as  well  as  for  the  car¬ 
riage  of  bales  of  goods  and  barrels  of  flour ;  nor  can  I  forget 


167 


that  the  year  in  which  I  thus  come  to  tender  to  you  the  hand  of 
good  fellowship,  is  likely  to  he  a  memorable  year  in  the  history  of 
our  species ; — that  it  is  a  year  in  which  a  new  planet  has  been 
added  to  our  solar  system  ;  a  planet,  which  has  been,  with  singu¬ 
lar  felicity  and  singular  appropriateness,  christened  Irene,  the 
planet  of  Peace.  [Applause.] 

And  as  I  have  touched  upon  this  point,  allow  me  to  add,  that  I 
have  felt  most  deeply  the  kind  terms  in  which  England  has  been 
alluded  to  by  all  whom  I  have  met  since  I  entered  the  territory 
of  the  United  States.  [Applause,  and  cries  of  hear,  hear.]  I 
cannot  say  that  I  feel  surprised  when  I  hear  Americans  speak  in 
the  way  in  which  his  Honor  the  Mayor  has  spoken  of  England ; 
but  I  own  that  I  am  surprised,  that  I  am  grieved,  that  I  am,  if 
you  will  allow  the  expression,  shocked,  when  I  hear,  as  I  some¬ 
times  do,  though  much  more  rarely  now  than  was  the  case  some 
years  ago,  language  of  a  very  different  kind  employed  by  Ameri¬ 
cans  when  speaking  of  England.  I  remember  that  the  code  of 
an  illustrious  law-giver  of  an  ancient  Grecian  Republic  was 
famous,  because,  although  it  contained  a  vast  number  of  special 
provisions  and  details,  relating  to  all  sorts  of  crimes,  it  affixed  no 
specific  penalty  to  the  crime  of  parricide.  It  was  perfectly  well 
known  however,  that  the  omission  did  not  arise  from  any  doubt  as 
to  whether  or  not  parricide  was  a  crime.  And  in  the  same  way, 
although  perchance  it  may  be  a  casus  omissus  in  the  criminal 
codes  of  your  great  Republic,  I  trust  that  no  true  hearted  Amer¬ 
ican  thinks  that  he  can,  without  being  sadly  wanting  in  self-respect, 
speak  ungenerously  or  disparagingly  of  his  old  grandmother  on 
the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic.  [Applause.] 

Sir,  it  is  impossible  to  live  as  long  as  I  have  done  in  America, 
without  entering  very  keenly  into  the  feelings  of  pride  and  grati¬ 
fication  with  which  Americans,  and  Canadians  too,  talk  of  their 
country.  It  is  wonderfully  progressing,  and  has  wonderful  re¬ 
sources.  But  when  I  hear  these  blessings  referred  to  in  language 
which  is  somewhat  disparaging,  as  respects  other  countries  less 
advantageously  situated,  1  am  reminded  of  an  eloquent  passage  in 
the  writings  of  an  eloquent  friend  of  mine  now  no  more,  the  late 
Dr.  Chalmers,  in  which  he  refers  to  the  simultaneous  discovery  of 
the  telescope  and  the  microscope — and,  in  his  gorgeous  and  em¬ 
phatic  language,  dilates  upon  the  light  shed  by  each  in  its  respec¬ 
tive  sphere  upon  the  beneficence,  the  wisdom,  and  the  power  of 
the  Almighty.  I  am  tempted,  I  say,  to  address  a  speaker  who 
indulges  in  the  language  I  have  described  in  some  such  terms  as 
these : 

“  Sir,  when  you  have  satisfied  your  gaze  by  contemplating  the 
magnificent  scene  spread  out  before  you ;  when,  with  the  aid  of 
the  telescope,  you  have  scanned  those  mighty  prairies  which  the 
ploughshare  has  not  vet  broken  ;  when  you  have  cast  your  eye 


168 


over  those  boundless  forests  which  the  axe  has  not  yet  touched ; 
when  you  have  surveyed  those  extensive  territories  underlain  by 
valuable  mineral  fields,  which  the  cupidity  of  man  has  not  yet 
rifled ;  when  you  have  done  all  this  to  your  heart’s  content,  just 
lay  your  telescope  aside,  and  take  this  little  microscope  from  me. 
I  will  show  you  a  little  Island  far  hidden  behind  that  eastern 
wave ;  an  island  so  diminutive  that  you  might  take  it  up  bodily, 
and  toss  it  into  the  lakes  which  lie  between  the  Canadas  and  the 
United  States,  without  filling  them  up  ;  but  which,  nevertheless, 
as  my  friend,  the  Mayor,  has  pointed  out,  wTas  the  source  from 
whence  came  forth  the  valor  and  the  might  which  laid  on  this 
continent  the  foundations  of  Empire, — [Applause,] — from  whence 
came  also  the  wisdom  and  moderation,  the  happy  combination  of 
a  love  of  liberty  with  a  respect  for  order  and  law,  in  the  absence 
of  which,  permit  me  to  say  it,  you  can  have  no  sufficient  security 
that  Empire  will  prove  enduring. 

Now,  gentlemen,  before  I  take  my  seat, — permit  me  to  close, — 
[Cries  of  “  go  on.”]  why,  Gentlemen,  it  must  be  the  air  of 
Boston,  for  I  never  made  so  long  a  speech  before  in  my  life. 
[Laughter.]  I  will  now  offer  you  as  a  sentiment — 

“  Prosperity  to  the  trade  and  the  city  of  Boston.” 

No  one,  I  am  sure,  will  question  the  sincerity  with  which  I 
propose  this  toast ;  for  most  assuredly,  if  I  did  not  wish  well  to 
the  trade  and  the  city  of  Boston,  I  should  not  be  here  now.  It 
may  be,  that  some  of  those  western  towns,  which  spring  up  in  a 
night,  and  pass  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  from  small  villages  to 
mighty  cities,  may,  as  respects  population  merely,  have  advanced 
more  rapidly  than  Boston ;  but  there  is  a  stability  and  a  solidity 
about  Boston,  which  I  must  say  is  agreeable  to  an  old  countryman 
like  myself. 

I  see  buildings  in  Boston,  which  look  as  if  intended  not  only 
for  the  owners,  but  for  their  sons,  and  their  sons’  sons  to  live  in, 
after  they  are  dead  and  gone.  I  know  it  has  been  the  practice 
to  say,  that  a  Yankee  would  not  be  satisfied  with  Paradise,  if 
there  was  any  place  farther  west  to  which  he  could  go.  [Laugh¬ 
ter.]  But  I  think  it  is  very  clear,  that  a  good  many  genuine 
Yankees  have  found  Boston  an  exceedingly  proper  place  for  a 
permanent  location,  although  it  happens  to  be  one  of  the  most 
easterly  points  of  the  continent. 

As  to  the  citizens  of  Boston,  I  shall  not  attempt  to  detail  their 
merits,  for  their  name  is  Legion ;  but  there  is  one  merit,  which 
I  do  not  like  to  pass  unnoticed,  because  they  always  seem  to  have 
possessed  it  in  the  highest  perfection.  It  is  the  virtue  of  courage. 
Upon  looking  very  accurately  into  history,  I  find  one  occasion, 
and  one  only  upon  which  it  appears  to  me  that  their  courage 
entirely  failed  them.  I  see  a  great  many  military  men  present. 


169 


and  I  am  afraid  that  they  will  call  me  to  account  for  this  observa¬ 
tion  ;  [laughter.] — and  what  do  you  think  that  occasion  was  ?  I  find , 
from  the  most  authentic  records,  that  the  citizens  of  Boston  were 
altogether  carried  away  by  panic  when  it  was  first  proposed  to 
build  a  railroad  from  Boston  to  Providence,  under  the  apprehen¬ 
sion  that  they  themselves,  their  wives  and  their  children,  their 
stores  and  their  goods,  and  all  they  possessed,  would  be  swallowed 
up  bodily  by  New  York.  [Laughter.] 

I  hope  that  Boston  has  wholly  recovered  from  that  panic.  I 
think  it  is  some  evidence  of  it,  that  she  has  laid  out  fifty  millions 
in  railways  since  that  time.  I  beg  leave  to  offer  the  sentiment  I 
proposed  a  few  minutes  ago,  and  to  express  my  earnest  hope  that 
the  city  of  Boston  may  pass  equally  unscathed  through  all  the 
difficulties  she  may  have  to  encounter  in  her  path  of  onward 
progress.  I  give  you,  Gentlemen, 

Prosperity  to  the  trade  and  the  City  of  Boston. 

The  toast  was  received  with  cheers,  in  which  Lord  Elgin 
took  the  lead ;  after  which  three  tremendous  cheers  were 
spontaneously  given  by  all  the  vast  assembly  for  his  lordship 
himself. 


The  Mayor  then  rose  and  said  : — Gentlemen,  I  give  you  as 
the  next  sentiment, 

“  The  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,” 
and  I  have  the  honor  to  present  to  you  His  Excellency  Gov¬ 
ernor  Boutwell. 

The  Governor  was  received  with  cheers,  and  replied  as 
follows : 


Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen,— 

In  what  language  shall  I  speak  for  Massachusetts  ?  How,  on 
an  occasion  like  this,  can  I  utter  with  distinctness  and  power,  as 
I  desire  to  do,  the  sentiments  which  I  feel  when  a  name  so  dear 
to  all  her  sons  is  received  with  such  ardor  and  enthusiasm,  and 
by  so  large  an  assemblage  of  men ;  some  of  whom  owe  nothing  to 
her  except  the  satisfaction  of  observing  in  her  annals  some  re¬ 
semblance  to  the  country  to  which  they  belong. 

Massachusetts  is  not  here  to-day  to  speak  for  herself.  You 
have  taken  by  the  hand  the  citizens  of  her  metropolis ;  but  her 
yeomen — from  her  hills,  her  mountains,  and  her  valleys — are  not 
here  to  speak  to  you. 

Her  citizens  upon  the  coast — those  who  u  go  down  to  the  sea 
in  ships,” — are  not  here  to  reply  to  you.  Her  mechanics  you 
have  seen  to-day  collected  together  in  the  streets  of  the  city,  and 


22 


170 


you  have  witnessed  specimens  of  their  handiwork.  I  am  sure, 
they  desire  that  the  kindness  which  has  beamed  from  the  faces 
of  those  you  have  seen,  and  the  cordial  sentiments  of  regard 
which  have  been  expressed  by  those  whom  you  have  met,  may  be 
taken  as  expressive  of  the  sentiments  of  the  State,  and  of  the 
feelings  which  exist  in  every  breast,  among  her  citizens.  They  all 
desire  to  give  a  hearty  welcome  to  our  brethren  from  the  other 
side  of  the  line. 

Massachusetts  welcomes  you,  Gentlemen.  Peace  is  her  motto, 
to-day,  henceforth  and  forever.  Why  should  we  be  jealous 
of  our  ancient  enemy  ?  You  will  pardon  me  for  alluding  to 
the  fact  that  our  countries  have  at  times  been  enemies.  Is  it 
not  true  that  we  have  a  similar  history,  similar  political  principles, 
and  a  similar  destiny  ?  Do  we  not  begin  to  date  the  liberty  of 
both  countries  from  the  year  1215  of  our  common  era  ? 

It  has  been  well  observed  that  no  man  could  be  an  American 
statesman  who  did  not  thoroughly  understand  the  history  of  Great 
Britain.  He  who  fails  to  understand  the  history  of  Britain,  fails 
to  understand  the  history  of  this  country,  or  the  character  of  this 
people.  We  are  a  reproduction  of  the  mother  country — but  on  a 
large  scale.  We  have  a  more  extensive  territory.  We  have 
boundless  prairies  and  far  reaching  views,  which  are  strangers  to 
her  land. 

But  there  is  here  no  cause  for  jealousy.  Peace  is  the  neces¬ 
sity  of  the  age.  Great  Britain  and  America  have  together 
six  millions  of  tons  of  shipping,  and  war  is  too  expensive  an 
amusement  for  either  nation,  and  can  be  resorted  to  only  in  de¬ 
fence  of  valued  rights  or  great  principles.  You  will  allow  me  to 
express  the  sentiment  of  a  modern  English  historian,  who  said  ; — 
“  In  two  centuries  the  name  of  England  may  be  unknown,  or  ex¬ 
ist  only  in  the  shadow  of  ancient  renown ;  but  three  hundred 
millions  of  people  in  North  America  will  be  speaking  its  language, 
reading  its  authors,  glorying  in  its  descent.” 

I  have  alluded  to  our  indebtedness  to  Great  Britain  for  that 
history  and  literature  which  are  the  basis  of  our  own ;  and  we  are 
continually  receiving  additions  to  our  population,  of  men  who  will 
materially  aid  in  the  development  of  the  physical,  intellectual  and 
moral  character  of  the  American  Republic. 

The  name  and  history  of  Great  Britain  deserve  to  be  cherished 
next — pardon  me  if  I  say  next— to  the  name  and  fame  of  America, 
by  every  American  citizen.  [Cheers.] 

When  the  Governor  had  taken  his  seat,  and  the  applause 
had  subsided,  the  Mayor  said : — 

The  remarks,  Gentlemen,  which  you  have  listened  to  with 
pleasure  and  respect  from  His  Excellency,  the  Governor,  call  to 


171 


mind  the  extent  and  the  amount  of  the  influence  exerted  in  con¬ 
triving,  carrying  out  and  perfecting  the  railroad  system  of  Massa¬ 
chusetts,  by  those  able  men  who  have  preceded  him  in  the  high 
office  which  he  adorns.  No  one,  perhaps,  has  exerted  more  of 
that  influence  than  the  illustrious  individual  who  sits  near  me  on 
my  right,  and  whom  I  take  pleasure  in  introducing  to  you.  I  pre¬ 
sent  to  you,  Gentlemen,  the  Hon.  Edward  Everett. 

Mr.  Everett  then  arose,  amid  long  continued  cheering, 
and,  after  a  sportive  allusion  to  his  being  called  an  Ex-Gov¬ 
ernor,  spoke  as  follows : 

May  it  Please  your  Honor, — 

It  is  not  easy  for  me  to  express  to  you  the  admiration  with 
which  I  have  listened  to  the  very  beautiful  and  appropriate  speech 
with  which  his  Excellency,  the  Governor  General  of  Canada,  has 
just  delighted  us.  You  know,  Sir,  that  the  truest  and  highest  art 
is  to  conceal  art ;  and  I  could  not  but  be  reminded  of  that  maxim, 
when  I  heard  that  gentleman,  after  beginning  with  disabling  him¬ 
self,  and  cautioning  us  at  the  onset  that  he  was  slotv  of  speech, 
proceed  to  make  one  of  the  happiest,  most  appropriate  and  elo¬ 
quent  speeches  ever  uttered.  If  I  were  travelling  with  his 
lordship  in  his  native  mountains  of  Gael,  I  should  say  to  him,  in 
the  language  of  the  natives  of  those  regions,  sma  sheen— very 
well,  my  lord.  But  in  plain  English,  Sir,  that  which  has  fallen 
from  his  lordship  has  given  me  indeed  new  cause  to  rejoice  that 
“  Chatham’s  language  is  my  mother  tongue.”  [Great  cheer- 
ing.] 

I  do  not  rise,  Sir,  to  make  a  long  speech.  I  think  it  would  be 
rather  out  of  taste,  for  any  one  who  is  at  home  in  Boston  or 
vicinity,  unless  in  the  performance  of  official  duty,  to  make  any¬ 
thing  which  could  be  called  a  long  speech  on  this  occasion.  All 
the  crowded  hours  of  this  busy  day  belong  to  our  much  honored 
guests— to  those  distinguished  visitors  who  adorn  the  occasion 
with  their  presence.  From  them,  indeed,  Sir,  the  company  can¬ 
not  hear  enough,  to  gratify  the  earnest  desire  which  is  felt  to 
listen  to  their  voices,  and  to  catch  their  words  of  encouragement 
and  congratulation. 

Besides,  Sir,  there  never  was  an  occasion  which  stood  less  in 
need  of  a  laborious  commentary  to  set  forth  its  importance.  If 
ever  there  was  anything  which  might  be  left  to  speak  for  itself* — 

*  At  this  moment  the  stentorian  steam-whistle  of  the  Providence  cars,  which 
were  then  just  entering  the  depot,  blew  a  blast  so  “loud  and  shrill,”  as  to  startle 
the  vast  assemblage,  and  furnish  a  convincing  proof  of  the  truth  of  the  orator’s 
remark.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  the  incident  was  greeted  with  tremen¬ 
dous  cheers. 


172 


% 


it  is  this  mighty  and  all  but  animated  system  of  railroads,  that 
now  embraces  New’  England  and  the  neighboring  States  and 
Provinces,  and  which,  more  than  realising  the  accounts  of  those 
enormous  sea  monsters  of  which  wTe  read  in  northern  legends, 
winds  its  sinuous  way  through  the  gorges  of  the  hills — leaps 
across  the  rivers — stretches  over  the  plains — clings  with  one 
of  its  Briarean  arms  to  Boston  Bay — grapples  to  Diamond  Bock 
with  another — seizes  with  the  right  upon  Providence  and  New 
York,  and  Albany,  and  Buffalo,  and  the  farthest  South,  and 
the  farthest  West ;  while  on  the  left,  he  is  already  stretching 
forth  his  iron  feelers  upon  New  Brunswick,  Nova  Scotia,  and 
Newfoundland.  In  the  presence  of  this  miracle  of  science,  and 
art,  and  capital,  I  feel,  Sir,  that  we  have  no  need  of  flowers  of 
rhetoric  or  figures  of  speech. 

We  have,  Sir,  in  this  part  of  the  country  long  been  convinced 
of  the  importance  of  this  system  of  communication;  although  it 
may  be  doubted  whether  the  most  sagacious  and  sanguine  have 
even  yet  fully  comprehended  its  manifold  influences.  We  have, 
however,  felt  them  on  the  sea-board  and  in  the  interior.  We 
have  felt  them  in  the  growth  of  our  manufactures,  in  the  extension 
of  our  commerce,  in  the  growing  demand  for  the  products  of  agri¬ 
culture,  in  the  increase  of  our  population.  We  have  felt  them 
prodigiously  in  transportation  and  travel.  The  inhabitant  of  the 
country  has  felt  them  in  the  ease  with  which  he  resorts  to  the  city 
markets,  whether  as  a  seller  or  a  purchaser.  The  inhabitant  of 
the  city  has  felt  them  in  the  facility  with  which  he  can  get  to  a 
sister  city,  or  to  the  country ;  with  which  he  can  get  back  to  his 
native  village ; — to  see  the  old  folks,  aye,  Sir,  and  some  of  the 
young  folks — with  which  he  can  get  a  mouthful  of  pure  mountain 
air — or  run  down  in  dog  days  to  Gloucester,  or  Phillips’  beach,  or 
Plymouth,  or  Cohassett,  or  New  Bedford. 

I  say,  Sir,  we  have  felt  the  benefit  of  our  railway  system  in 
these  and  a  hundred  other  forms,  in  which,  penetrating  far  be¬ 
yond  material  interests,  it  intertwines  itself  with  all  the  concerns 
and  relations  of  life  and  society  ;  but  I  have  never  had  its  benefits 
brought  home  to  me  so  sensibly  as  on  the  present  occasion. 
Think,  Sir,  how  it  has  annihilated  time  and  space,  in  reference  to 
this  festival,  and  how  greatly  to  our  advantage  and  delight ! 
When  Dr.  Franklin,  in  1754,  projected  a  plan  of  union  for  these 
colonies,  with  Philadelphia  as  the  metropolis,  he  gave  as  a  reason 
for  this  part  of  the  plan,  that  Philadelphia  was  situated  about  half 
way  between  the  extremes,  and  could  be  conveniently  reached 
even  from  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  in  eighteen  days !  I 
believe  the  President  of  the  United  States,  who  has  honored  us 
with  his  company  at  this  joyous  festival,  was  not  more  than 
twenty-four  hours  actually  on  the  road  from  Washington  to  Bos- 


i  >ro 

I  io 

ton ;  two  to  Baltimore,  seven  more  to  Philadelphia,  five  more  to 
New  York,  and  ten  more  to  Boston. 

And  then  Canada,  Sir,  once  remote,  inaccessible  region — hut  now 
brought  to  our  very  door.  If  a  journey  had  been  contemplated 
in  that  direction  in  Dr.  Franklin’s  time,  it  would  have  been  with 
such  feelings  as  a  man  would  have  now-a-days.  who  was  going  to 
start  for  the  mouth  of  Copper  Mine  River  and  the  shores  of  the 
Arctic  Sea.  But  no,  Sir ;  such  a  thing  was  never  thought  of — 
never  dreamed  of.  A  horrible  wilderness,  rivers  and  lakes  un¬ 
spanned  by  human  art,  pathless  swamps,  dismal  forests  that  it 
made  the  flesh  creep  to  enter,  threaded  by  nothing  more  prac¬ 
ticable  than  the  Indian’s  trail,  echoing  with  no  sound  more  inviting 
than  the  yell  of  the  wolf  and  the  warwhoop  of  the  savage ;  these 
it  was  that  filled  the  space  between  us  and  Canada.  The  inhabi¬ 
tants  of  the  British  Colonies  never  entered  Canada  in  those  days 
but  as  provincial  troops  or  Indian  captives  ;  and  lucky  he  that  got 
back  with  his  scalp  on.  [Laughter.]  This  state  of  things  ex¬ 
isted  less  than  one  hundred  years  ago ;  there  are  men  living  in 
Massachusetts  who  were  born  before  the  last  party  of  hostile 
Indians  made  an  incursion  to  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut  river. 

As  lately  as  when  I  had  the  honor  to  be  the  Governor  of 
the  Commonwealth,  I  signed  the  pension  warrant  of  a  man  who 
lost  his  arm  in  the  year  1T5T,  in  a  conflict  with  the  Indians  and 
French  in  one  of  the  border  wars,  in  those  dreary  Canadian  for¬ 
ests.  His  Honor  the  Mayor  will  recollect  it,  for  he  countersigned 
the  warrant  as  Secretary  of  State.  Now,  Sir,  by  the  magic 
power  of  these  modern  works  of  art,  the  forest  is  thrown  open — • 
the  rivers  and  the  lakes  are  bridged — the  valleys  rise,  the  moun¬ 
tains  bow  their  everlasting  heads ;  and  the  Governor- General  of 
Canada  takes  his  breakfast  in  Montreal,  and  his  dinner  in  Boston ; 
— reading  a  newspaper  leisurely  by  the  way  which  was  printed  a 
fortnight  ago  in  London.  [Great  applause.]  In  the  excavations 
made  in  the  construction  of  the  Vermont  railroads,  the  skeletons 
of  fossil  whales  and  paloeozoic  elephants  have  been  brought  to 
light.  I  believe,  Sir,  if  a  live  spermaceti  whale  had  been  seen 
spouting  in  Lake  Champlain,  or  a  native  elephant  had  walked 
leisurely  into  Burlington  from  the  neighboring  woods,  of  a  sum¬ 
mer’s  morning,  it  would  not  be  thought  more  wonderful  than  our 
fathers  would  have  regarded  Lord  Elgin’s  journey  to  us  this 
week,  could  it  have  been  foretold  to  them  a  century  ago,  with  all 
the  circumstances  of  despatch,  convenience  and  safety.  [Ap¬ 
plause.] 

But,  Sir,  as  I  have  already  said,  it  is  not  the  material  results 
of  this  railroad  system  in  which  its  happiest  influences  are  seen. 
I  recollect  that  seven  or  eight  years  ago  there  was  a  project  to 
carry  a  railroad  into  the  lake  country  in  England — into  the  heart 


174 


of  Westmorland  and  Cumberland.  Mr.  Wordsworth,  the  lately 
deceased  poet,  a  resident  in  the  centre  of  this  region,  opposed  the 
project.  He  thought  that  the  retirement  and  seclusion  of  this 
delightful  region  would  be  disturbed  by  the  panting  of  the  loco¬ 
motive,  and  the  cry  of  the  steam  whistle.  If  I  am  not  mistaken, 
he  published  one  or  two  sonnets  in  deprecation  of  the  enterprise.* 
Mr.  Wordsworth  was  a  kind-hearted  man,  as  well  as  a  most  dis¬ 
tinguished  poet,  but  he  was  entirely  mistaken,  as  it  seems  to  me, 
in  this  matter.  The  quiet  of  a  few  spots  may  be  disturbed  ;  but 
a  hundred  quiet  spots  are  rendered  accessible.  The  bustle 
of  the  station  house  may  take  the  place  of  the  Druidical  silence 
of  some  shady  dell ;  but,  Gracious  Heavens !  Sir,  how  many  of 
those  verdant  cathedral  arches,  entwined  by  the  hand  of  God  in 
our  pathless  woods,  are  opened  to  the  grateful  worship  of  man  by 
these  means  of  communication  !  [Cheers.] 

How  little  of  rural  beauty  you  lose,  even  in  a  country  of  com¬ 
paratively  narrow  dimensions  like  England — how  less  than  littlo 
in  a  country  so  vast  as  this — -by  works  of  this  description,  You 
lose  a  little  strip  along  the  line  of  the  road,  which  partially 

*  The  following  are  the  Sonnets  alluded  to  by  Mr.  Everett : — 

On  the  Projected  Kendal  and  Windermere  Railway. 

Is  there  no  nook  of  English  ground  secure 
Erom  rash  assault?  Schemes  of  retirement  sown 
In  youth,  and  mid  the  busy  world  kept  pure 
As  when  their  earliest  flowers  of  hope  were  blown, 

Must  perish  ; — how  can  they  this  blight  endure  ? 

And  must  he,  too,  the  ruthless  change  bemoan, 

Who  scorns  a  false  utilitarian  lure 

Mid  his  paternal  fields  at  random  thrown  ? 

Baffle  the  threat,  bright  scene  from  Orrcst-head 
Given  to  the  pausing  traveller’s  rapturous  glance : 

Plead  for  thy  peace,  thou  beautiful  romance 
Of  nature ;  and,  if  human  hearts  be  dead, 

Speak,  passing  Winds ;  ye  Torrents,  with  your  strong 
And  constant  voice,  protest  against  the  wrong. 

October  12th,  1844. 


Proud  were  ye,  Mountains  !  when,  in  times  of  old, 
Your  patriot  sons,  to  stem  invasive  war, 
Intrenched  your  brows  ;  ye  gloried  in  each  scar ; 
Now,  for  your  shame,  a  power,  the  thirst  of  gold, 
That  rules  o’er  Britain  like  a  baneful  star, 

Wills  that  your  peace,  your  beauty,  shall  be  sold, 
And  clear  way  made  for  her  triumphant  car 
Through  the  beloved  retreats  your  arms  enfold ! 
Heard  ye  that  whistle  ?  As  her  long-linked  train 
Swept  onwards,  did  the  vision  cross  your  view  ? 
Yes,  ye  were  startled  ; — and,  in  balance  true, 
Weighing  the  mischief  with  the  promised  gain, 
Mountains,  and  Yales,  and  Eloods  !  I  call  on  you 
To  share  the  passion  of  a  just  disdain  ! 


.  1  ID 


changes  its  character ;  while,  as  the  compensation,  yon  bring  all 
this  rural  beauty,- — 

“  The  warbling  woodland,  the  resounding  shore, 

The  pomp  of  groves,  the  garniture  of  fields,” 

within  the  reach,  not  of  a  score  of  luxurious,  sauntering  tourists, 
but  of  the  great  mass  of  the  population,  who  have  senses  and 
tastes  as  keen  as  the  keenest.  You  throw  it  open,  with  all  its 
soothing  and  humanizing  influences,  to  thousands  who,  but  for 
your  railways  and  steamers,  would  have  lived  and  died  without 
ever  having  breathed  the  life-giving  air  of  the  mountains ; — yes, 
Sir,  to  tens  of  thousands,  who  would  have  gone  to  their  graves, 
and  the  sooner  for  the  privation,  without  ever  having  caught  a 
glimpse  of  the  most  magnificent  and  beautiful  spectacle  which 
nature  presents  to  the  eye  of  man — that  of  a  glorious  combing 
wave,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  long,  as  it  comes  swelling  and  breasting 
toward  the  shore,  till  its  soft  green  ridge  bursts  into  a  crest  of 
snow,  and  settles  and  dies  along  the  whispering  sands !  [Im¬ 
mense  cheering.] 

But  even  this  is  nothing  compared  with  the  great  social  and 
moral  effects  of  this  system,  a  subject  admirably  treated,  in  many 
of  its  aspects,  in  a  sermon  by  Dr.  Gannett,  which  has  been  kindly 
given  to  the  public.  All  important  also  are  its  political  effects  in 
binding  the  States  together  as  one  family,  and  uniting  us  to  our 
neighbors  as  brethren  and  kinsfolk.  I  do  not  know,  Sir,  [turning 
to  Lord  Elgin,]  but  in  this  way,  from  the  kindly  seeds  which  have 
been  sown  this  week,  in  your  visit  to  Boston,  and  that  of  the  dis¬ 
tinguished  gentlemen  who  have  preceded  and  accompanied  you, 
our  children  and  grandchildren,  as  long  as  this  great  Anglo  Saxon 
race  shall  occupy  the  continent,  may  reap  a  harvest  worth  all  the 
cost  which  has  devolved  on  this  generation.  [Cheers.] 

Mr.  Everett  having  resumed  his  seat,  the  Mayor  remarked, 
that — 

As  the  mind  reverts  to  the  infancy  of  the  settlement  of  Boston, 
a  wish  is  rationally  felt  to  know  what  our  stern  progenitors  would 
say,  if  permitted  to  witness  the  moral  and  physical  changes, 
which  have  come  over  the  scenes  of  their  trials  and  triumphs. 
What,  in  special,  would  they  think  of  such  a  festival  as  this,  held 
within  their  sacred  borders,  where  are  gathered,  at  the  same 
table,  Catholics  and  Protestants  of  every  sect ;  monarchists  and 
republicans ;  nobles  and  commoners  of  the  mother  country,  with 
representatives  of  every  section  of  a  continent,  of  wThich  they 
knew  nothing  but  a  narrow  margin?  The  wish  is  vain, — but, 
next  to  its  gratification,  we  have  the  comfort  to  know,  that  the 
Pilgrims  are  represented  at  this  board,  by  a  proxy,  who  is  preemi- 


176 


nently  able  to  speak  for  them,  in  the  person  of  a  lineal  descendant 
of  their  great  leader, — the  Moses,  who  led  them,  across  the  wilder¬ 
ness  of  waters,  to  this  home  of  their  refuge.  I  present  to  you  the 
Honorable  Robert  Charles  Winthrop,  late  Speaker  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  of  the  United  States. 


Mr.  Winthrop  was  most  cordially  received,  and  spoke  as 
follows — 


I  am  deeply  sensible,  Mr.  Mayor,  that  the  honors  and  compli¬ 
ments  of  this  occasion  belong  to  others.  They  belong,  in  the 
first  place,  as  my  friend,  Mr.  Everett,  has  just  suggested,  to  the 
distinguished  and  illustrious  strangers  of  our  own  country  and  of 
other  countries,  who  have  adorned  our  festival  with  their  presence. 
[Warm  applause.]  And  they  belong,  in  the  next  place,  to  those 
of  our  own  fellow  citizens,  of  whom  I  see  not  a  few  around  me, 
to  whose  far-seeing  sagacity  and  persevering  efforts  and  personal 
labors  we  owe  the  great  works  whose  completion  we  celebrate. 
[Cheers.]  For  myself,  Sir,  I  have  no  pretension  of  either  sort ; 
but  I  am  all  the  more  grateful  for  the  opportunity  you  have 
afforded  me  of  saying  a  few  words,  and  for  the  kind  and  cordial 
manner  in  which  you  have  presented  me  to  this  assembly.  Most 
heartily  do  I  wish  that  I  could  say  anything  worthy  of  such  a 
scene.  Most  heartily  do  I  wish  that  I  could  find  expressions  and 
illustrations  in  any  degree  commensurate  to  the  vast  and  varied 
theme  which  such  an  occasion  suggests.  And  still  more  do  I 
wish  that  I  could  find  a  voice  capable  of  conveying,  even  to  one- 
half  of  this  countless  and  crowded  audience,  such  poor  phrases 
as  I  may  be  able  to  command.  But  voice,  language  and  imagi¬ 
nation  seem  to  falter  and  fail  alike  in  any  attempt  to  do  justice 
to  circumstances  like  the  present.  [Loud  cheers.] 

Mr.  Mayor,  the  very  dates  which  you  have  selected  for  your 
three  days’  jubilee,  would  furnish  material  for  a  discourse  which 
would  occupy  far  more  than  all  the  daylight  which  is  left  us. 
The  17th,  18th  and  19th  days  of  September !  How  many  of  the 
most  memorable  events  in  our  local,  colonial  and  national  history, 
are  included  in  this  brief  period ! 

It  was  on  one  of  these  days,  in  the  year  1620,  that  the  Pilgrim 
Fathers  of  New  England  took  their  final  departure  from  the 
mother  country,  their  last  and  tearful  leave  of  Old  England,  and 
entered  on  that  perilous  ocean  voyage,  of  more  than  three  months’ 
duration,  which  terminated  at  Plymouth  rock ! 

It  was  on  one  of  these  days,  ten  years  later,  in  1630,  that  the 
Puritan  Fathers  of  Massachusetts,  with  one  of  whom  you  have 
done  me  the  honor  to  associate  me,  first  gave  the  name  of  Boston 
to  the  few  tents  and  huts  and  log  cabins  which  then  made  up  our 
embryo  city ! 


177 


It  was  on  one  of  theso  same  days,  too,  in  1787,  that  the 
Patriot  Fathers  of  America  set  their  hands  and  seals,  at  Philadel¬ 
phia,  to  that  matchless  instrument  of  government — the  Constitu¬ 
tion  of  the  United  States — which  has  bound  this  nation  together 
for  better  or  worse — let  me  not  say  for  better  or  worse,  but  for 
the  best  and  highest  interests  of  our  country  and  mankind — 
[Cheers] — in  one  inseparable  and  ever-blessed  Union  forever ! 
[Renewed  cheers.] 

Nor,  Mr.  Mayor,  is  this  eventful  period  in  the  calendar  without 
associations  and  reminiscences  of  pride  and  glory,  for  our  breth¬ 
ren  whom  we  have  welcomed  from  over  the  borders.  It  was,  if  I 
mistake  not,  on  one  of  these  same  three  September  days,  in  the 
year  1759,  that  the  proud  fortress  of  Quebec  was  finally  surren¬ 
dered  to  the  British  forces — surrendered  as  the  result  of  that 
memorable  conflict  on  the  heights  of  Abraham,  five  or  six  days 
before,  in  which  the  gallant  Wolfe  had  expired  in  the  blaze  of  his 
fame,  happy,  (as  he  said,)  to  have  seen  his  country’s  arms  victo¬ 
rious — and  in  which  the  not  less  gallant  Montcalm  had  lain  down 
in  the  dust  beside  him,  happy,  too,  (as  he  also  said,)  not  to  have 
seen  the  downfall  of  this  last  stronghold  of  the  French  power  on 
the  North  American  continent. 

Nor  is  this  a  reminiscence,  Sir,  in  which  we  of  New  England, 
and  of  Massachusetts  particularly,  have  no  part  or  heritage ;  for, 
let  it  not  be  forgotten,  that  Massachusetts,  during  that  year,  be¬ 
sides  furnishing  to  the  British  army  her  prescribed  quota  of  six 
or  seven  thousand  men  to  fight  the  battles  of  a  common  Crown, 
at  Louisburg,  in  Nova  Scotia,  and  elsewhere,  actually  raised  three 
hundred  additional  men,  at  the  request  of  General  Wolfe  himself, 
who  served  as  the  very  pioneers  of  that  seemingly  desperate 
assault  upon  Quebec.  [Cheers.]  Let  it  not  be  forgotten,  either, 
that  the  Colonial  Assembly  of  Massachusetts  testified  their  admir¬ 
ation  of  Wolfe,  and  their  sorrow  for  his  loss,  by  voting  a  marble 
monument  to  his  memory. 

But  all  these,  I  am  aware,  are  but  the  accidental  coincidences 
of  this  occasion.  We  have  assembled  not  to  recall  the  past,  but 
to  rejoice  in  the  present ;  not  to  commemorate  the  early  trials  and 
exploits  of  our  fathers,  but  the  mature  achievements  and  proud 
successes  of  their  sons.  We  come  not  to  celebrate  the  triumphs  of 
the  forum  or  the  battle-field,  but  the  peaceful  victories  of  science, 
of  invention,  and  of  those  mechanic  arts,  so  many  of  whose  noble 
products,  and  nobler  producers,  we  have  seen  in  the  splendid 
pageant  of  the  day.  [Loud  applause.] 

And  in  whatever  aspect  we  contemplate  these  great  highways 
of  intercommunication,  in  whose  construction  and  completion  we 
this  day  exult,  we  find  it  difficult  to  express,  and  impossible  to 
exaggerate,  our  sense  of  their  magnitude  and  importance.  It  is 
for  others,  and  upon  other  occasions,  to  speak  of  their  influence 

23 


178 


on  our  material  interests,  our  commercial  prosperity,  and  our 
local  advantages. 

Your  own  intelligent  and  accomplished  Committee  of  Arrange¬ 
ments,  indeed,  have  anticipated  all  that  could  be  said  by  any  one, 
on  any  occasion,  on  this  part  of  the  subject.  They  have  prepared  a 
tabular  representation  (which  I  am  glad  to  see  has  been  laid  upon 
every  plate)  which  tells  in  figures  less  deceptive  or  equivocal  than 
those  of  rhetoric,  how  much  has  been  done  in  this  way  for  Boston, 
for  Massachusetts,  for  New  England,  for  the  country,  for  the  whole 
unbounded  continent,  by  the  enterprise,  industry,  capital  and 
skill  of  our  citizens.  Here,  too,  is  a  miniature  map  [holding  it 
up]  which  they  have  furnished  us,  exhibiting  our  little  Common¬ 
wealth,  as  it  really  is,  covered  all  over  with  railroad  lines,  as  with 
the  countless  fibres  of  a  spider’s  web.  They  tell  us  here  of  a 
hundred  and  twenty  passenger  trains,  containing  no  less  than 
twelve  thousand  persons,  shooting  into  our  city,  on  a  single,  ordi¬ 
nary,  average  summer’s  day,  with  a  regularity,  punctuality  and 
precision,  which  make  it  almost  as  safe  to  set  our  watches  by  a 
railroad  whistle,  as  by  the  old  South  clock !  [Laughter.] 

But,  Sir,  by  what  figures  of  rhetoric,  or  of  arithmetic  either, 
shall  we  measure  the  influence  of  those  great  improvements  on 
our  political  condition,  or  on  our  social  relations,  domestic  or 
foreign  ? 

Consider  them  for  an  instant,  in  connection  with  the  extent  of 
our  own  wide-spread  Republic.  By  what  other  agency  than  that 
of  railroads  could  a  Representative  Government  like  ours  be  ren¬ 
dered  practicable  over  so  vast  a  territory  ?  The  necessary  limits 
of  such  a  Government  were  justly  defined  by  one  of  our  earliest 
and  wisest  statesmen,  to  be  those  within  which  the  Representar- 
tives  of  the  People  could  be  brought  together  with  regularity  and 
certainty,  as  often  as  needful,  to  transact  the  public  business. 

And  by  which  do  you  think,  sir,  of  the  old-fashioned  modes  of 
transportation  or  travel — the  stage-coach,  the  pack-saddle,  or  the 
long  wagon, — or  by  which,  even,  of  those  queer  conveyances  which 
His  Excellency  the  Governor  General  of  Canada  tells  us  he  once 
shared  with  my  friend  Governor  Paine, — could  Delegates  from 
California,  or  Utah,  or  even  from  some  of  our  less  recent  and  less 
remote  acquisitions,  be  brought  to  our  sessions  of  Congress  at 
Washington,  and  carried  back  at  stated  intervals  to  consult  the 
wishes  of  their  constituents,  within  any  reasonable  or  reliable 
time  ? 

Mr.  Mayor,  in  view  of  this  and  many  other  considerations,  to 
which  I  may  not  take  up  further  time  by  alluding,  and  which,  in¬ 
deed,  are  too  familiar  to  require  any  allusion,  I  feel  that  it  is  no 
exaggeration  to  say,  that  our  Railroad  system  is  an  essential  part  of 
our  Representative  system  ;  and  that  it  has  exerted  an  influence, 
second  in  importance  to  no  other  that  can  be  named,  material, 


179 


political,  or  moral,  in  binding  together,  in  one  indissoluble  brother¬ 
hood,  this  vast  association  of  American  States.  It  is  hardly  too 
t  much  to  add,  that  it  seems  to  have  been  Providentially  prepared, 
as  the  great  centripetal  enginery,  which  is  destined  to  overcome 
and  neutralise  forever  those  deplorable  centrifugal  tendencies, 
which  local  differences,  and  peculiar  institutions,  and  sectional 
jealousies,  have  too  often  engendered.  [Marked  applause.] 

The  President  of  the  United  States,  in  his  admirable  reply  to  your 
most  appropriate  address,  Sir,  welcoming  him  within  the  lines  of 
Boston,  reminded  us  that  his  illustrious  predecessor,  Washington, 
occupied  eleven  days  in  travelling  by  express  from  Philadelphia, 
to  the  neighboring  city  of  Cambridge,  in  one  of  the  most  critical 
emergencies  of  our  local  history.  Let  me  remind  you,  also,  of  a 
similar  experience  in  the  journeyings  of  another  of  his  predeces¬ 
sors.  In  the  recently  published  diary  of  our  owm  John  Adams, 
will  be  found  the  following  entry,  dated  at  Middletown,  Conn., 
on  the  8th  day  of  June,  1771 : 

“  Looking  into  the  almanac  I  am  startled.  Supreme  Court  at 
Ipswich  is  the  18th  day  of  June ;  I  thought  it  a  week  later, 
25th ;  so  that  I  have  only  next  week  to  go  home,  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles.  I  must  improve  every  moment.  It  is  twenty- 
five  miles  a  day,  if  I  ride  every  day  next  week.” 

John  Adams  startled, — and  let  me  say  that  he  was  not  of  a  com¬ 
plexion  to  be  very  easily  startled  at  anything, — at  having  only  a 
week  for  going  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles  !  Startled  at  the  idea 
of  being  obliged  to  go  twenty-five  miles  a  day  every  day  for  a 
week !  [Laughter.]  While  here,  but  a  moment  since,  was  his 
illustrious  successor,  who,  having  already  travelled  nearly  five 
hundred  miles  in  twenty-four  hours,  and  having  spent  three  or 
four  days  in  Newport  and  Boston,  which  we  hope  have  been  as 
delightful  to  him  as  they  certainly  have  been  to  us,  is  now  on  his 
way  back,  and  is  about  to  reach  Washington  again  before  the 
week  in  which  he  left  there  is  fairly  at  an  end ! 

And  here,  Mr.  Mayor,  I  turn,  in  conclusion,  to  what  to-day, 
at  least,  in  the  minds  and  hearts  of  us  all,  is  the  great  charm  of 
this  modern  miracle  of  rapid  intercommunication.  It  is  that  it 
enables  us  to  see,  to  know,  and  to  enjoy  personal  intercourse 
with  the  great,  the  good,  the  distinguished,  the  admired  of  our 
own  land  and  of  other  lands.  We  can  take  them  by  the  hand, 
we  can  see  their  faces,  we  can  hear  their  voices,  and  we  can 
form  ties  of  mutual  respect  and  regard,  which  neither  time  nor 
distance  may  afterwards  sever. 

There  have  been  those  here  to-day  whom  none  of  you  will  soon 
forget ;  and  there  is  at  least  one  of  them  to  whom  I  had  particularly 
proposed  to  myself  the  pleasure  of  alluding.  I  refer  to  the  Secre¬ 
tary  of  the  Interior,  the  Honorable  Alexander  Stuart — [ap¬ 
plause] — a  noble  son  of  old  Virginia,  with  whom  in  other  years 


180 


I  have  been  associated  in  Congress,  and  whom  I  am  always  proud 
to  call  my  friend.  He  has  already  taken  his  leave  of  us,  Sir ; 
but  I  am  sure  we  all  desire  to  follow  him  with  our  good  wishes, 
and  to  assure  him  that  though  out  of  sight  he  is  not  out  of  mind. 

But  let  me  congratulate  the  company  that  we  have  another 
Alexander  Stewrart  still  left  at  the  table — a  distinguished  son  of 
Nova  Scotia — an  eminent  citizen  of  Halifax — a  high  functionary 
of  the  Provincial  Government — whom  it  has  been  my  good  for¬ 
tune  to  have  at  my  side  during  the  last  hour,  and  who  is  every 
way  entitled  to  our  highest  consideration  and  respect.  With  a 
view  of  introducing  him  to  the  company,  I  propose,  as  a  senti¬ 
ment, — 

“  Prosperity  to  Nova  Scotia  and  the  city  of  Halifax,  and  the 
health  of  our  distinguished  guest,  the  Hon.  Alexander  Stew'art, 
the  Master  of  the  Rolls.”  [Applause.] 

To  this  sentiment  the  Hon.  Mr.  Stewart,  having  been  pre¬ 
sented  by  the  Mayor,  responded  by  saying  that  he  wished  the 
state  of  his  health  would  enable  him  to  follow  the  eloquent 
gentlemen  who  had  preceded  him  in  depicting  the  social, 
moral,  and  political  results  of  the  system  of  railroads,  the 
completion  of  which  was  celebrated  this  day.  But  since, 
unfortunately,  that  was  not  the  case,  he  would  call  upon  one 
— an  Advocate  of  Nova  Scotia — whose  voice  had  been  heard 
in  the  Canadas,  and  heard  in  England,  and  whom  he  was 
happy  to  have  at  hand,  to  stand  in  his  place. 

This  was  understood  to  refer  to  the  Hon.  Joseph  Howe, 
Provincial  Secretary  of  Nova  Scotia,  who  was  immediately 
called  on,  and  thus  addressed  the  meeting : 

Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen, — 

At  this  late  hour  it  would  be  unfair  to  trespass  long  upon  your 
patience.  With  the  voices  of  the  eloquent  speakers  who  have 
preceded  me  still  charming  the  ear,  how  can  I  venture  to  address 
you  at  all  ?  Though  feeling  the  full  force  of  the  comparisons 
which  must  be  drawrn,  and  representing  one  of  the  smallest  Prov¬ 
inces  of  the  British  Empire,  I  am  reluctant  to  be  altogether  silent, 
lest  it  might  be  supposed  that  my  countrymen  do  not  appreciate 
your  hospitality,  or  take  an  interest  in  the  great  works,  the  com¬ 
pletion  of  which  we  have  met  to  celebrate.  To  me  the  occasion 
is  full  of  interest,  for  I  stand  here,  the  son  of  a  banished  Loyalist, 
to  rejoice  with  you  in  the  prosperity  of  the  city  of  which  my 
father  was  a  native.  IIow  many  stirring  passages  of  old  colonial 
history  have  the  scenes  presented  to  my  eye  during  the  past 


181 


three  days  revived !  How  strangely  has  the  past  been  blended 
with  the  present,  as  I  have  listened  to  sentiments  of  mutual 
respect  and  friendship  breathed  by  the  leaders  of  two  great 
nations,  sternly  opposed  in  the  olden  time,  but  now  rivals  only  in 
the  graces  which  embellish  life,  or  in  the  fields  of  profitable  indus¬ 
try.  As  the  son  of  a  Bostonian,  I  cannot  but  rejoice, — whatever 
may  be  the  distinctions  of  allegiance,  the  claims  of  country,  or 
the  high  hopes  of  the  future  which  we  British  Americans  cher¬ 
ish, — in  the  permanent  prosperity  and  advancement  of  this  city. 

Mr.  Mayor:  I  have  looked  on  the  great  pageant  of  the  day 
with  extreme  interest  and  care,  have  marked  the  thronged  streets 
in  wThich  the  citizens  of  Boston  conduct  their  profitable  com¬ 
merce,  and  observed  the  praiseworthy  evidences  of  the  skill  and 
ingenuity  of  your  mechanics.  But  the  sight  which  challenged  the 
highest  interest  and  admiration — which  appealed  to  the  finest  and 
most  elevated  feelings,  were  the  lines  of  life  and  intelligence  pre¬ 
sented  by  the  young  Bostonians  who  represented  the  fostering 
care  of  the  Free  Schools  of  New  England.  I  might  have  passed 
the  other  features  of  the  celebration  with  comparative  indifference, 
but  when  I  saw  those  children,  I  was  reminded  of  that  German 
schoolmaster  who  declared  that  when  he  entered  his  schoolroom 
he  always  took  off  his  hat,  for  there  he  met  the  future  dignitaries 
of  his  land.  So  here,  Sir,  I  saw  the  guarantee  and  the  gage  of 
the  future  prosperity  of  this  interesting  State.  The  sight  of  those 
children,  even  more  forcibly  than  the  beaming  faces  which  smiled 
from  your  balconies  and  windows  as  we  passed,  naturally  called 
to  mind  those  upon  whose  knees  they  had  been  nurtured,  and  led 
me  to  conclude  that  though  we  had  seen  this  proud  city  in  its 
holiday  attire,  and  might,  perhaps,  see  it  in  its  working  dress 
to-morrow,  we  could  see  nothing  more  interesting  than  the  Free 
Schools  which  educate  its  children,  and  the  beautiful  and  virtuous 
mothers  who  nourish  them  in  their  bosoms. 

Gentlemen  :  I  speak  to  you  as  the  descendant  of  a  son  of  the 
old  soil  of  Massachusetts — the  representative  of  an  offshoot  which 
has  some  of  the  virtues  of  the  original  stock.  I  hope  that  Massa¬ 
chusetts  men  will  come  to  the  Northern  Provinces  and  note  them. 
We  British  Americans  who  share  with  you,  down  to  a  certain 
period,  the  vicissitudes  of  a  common  history,  and  the  treasures  of 
a  literature  bequeathed  to  us  all — who  have,  since  the  revolution 
divided  us,  made  for  ourselves  a  noble  country  out  of  its  wilderness, 
while  we  survey  your  prosperity  without  envy,  and  cherish  attach¬ 
ment  to  the  parent  state,  have  not  forgotten  the  trials  or  the  tradi¬ 
tions  of  a  common  ancestry.  Nova  Scotia  has  adopted  the  little 
“ Mayflower”  as  the  emblem  upon  her  escutcheon,  and  those  who 
laid  the  foundations  of  her  society,  and  built  up  her  towns  and  sea¬ 
ports,  were  as  proud  of  their  Pilgrim  stock  as  you  are  here.  Though 
Halifax  dates  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  years  after  Boston  in 


1 


182 

point  of  time — though  all  that  our  fathers  toiled  for  in  that  century 
and  a  quarter,  they  left  behind  them  at  the  Revolution — still  we  are 
following  in  your  footsteps — emulous,  it  may  he,  but  I  think  I  may 
assure  you  that  throughout  the  British  Provinces  on  the  continent 
there  is  now  no  feeling  but  that  of  cordial  friendship  towards  these 
noble  States.  We  desire  to  see  you  work  out  in  peace  the  high  des¬ 
tiny  which  your  past  achievements  and  free  institutions  promise. 
At  the  same  time,  as  the  territory  we  occupy  is  as  broad  as  yours — 
as  broad  as  the  whole  continent  of  Europe — watered  by  lakes  as 
expansive  as  your  own — drained  by  noble  rivers — blessed  with  a 
healthy  climate  and  unbounded  fertility — with  fisheries  and  com¬ 
mercial  advantages  unrivalled,  we  are  content  with  our  lot,  and 
feel  that  the  mutual  prosperity  and  success  of  both  nations  are  to 
be  found  in  peace,  harmony,  and  brotherly  love.  I  hope,  Sir, 
that  many  years  will  not  pass  away  before  you  are  invited  to  a 
railroad  celebration  on  British  soil,  and  this  I  promise  you, — that 
when  that  day  comes,  even  if  our  Railroads  should  not  be  as  long 
as  yours,  the  Festival  shall  be  as  long,  and  the  welcome  as  cor¬ 
dial.  In  conclusion,  Sir,  permit  me  to  make  another  allusion  to 
those  wdio,  if  they  are  not  here,  ought  to  be  “  freshly  remem¬ 
bered;”  for  they  have  enlivened  our  visit  by  their  marked  beauty 
and  fascinations.  You  have  tried  once  or  twice,  I  believe,  to 
invade  our  frontiers.  When  next  you  make  the  attempt,  let  me 
advise  you  to  put  the  Women  of  New  England  in  front,  and  then 
you  will  be  sure  to  succeed. 

, 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Howe’s  remarks,  which  were 
received  with  great  applause,  the  Hon.  Francis  Hincks, 
Inspector  General  of  Canada,  having  been  called  upon  by  the 
Mayor,  arose  and  addressed  the  assembly  as  follows : 

Mr.  Mayor,  and  Citizens  op  Boston, — 

I  rise  to  address  you  under  great  embarrassment,  for  I  fear  that 
the  eloquent  address  of  your  illustrious  guest,  the  Governor  Gen¬ 
eral  of  Canada,  and  the  speech  more  recently  delivered  by  my 
honorable  friend  who  represents  the  Province  of  Nova  Scotia  on 
this  occasion,  will  indispose  you  to  listen  with  patience  to  any 
remarks  of  mine.  His  Excellency  the  Governor  General  has 
already  given  expression  to  the  feelings  of  all  your  Canadian 
guests,  who  are  most  deeply  grateful  to  you  for  your  truly  hos¬ 
pitable  reception.  On  the  part  of  my  colleagues  and  myself,  who 
have  received  special  attention  at  your  hands,  I  desire  to  say  that 
we  feel  that  those  attentions  have  not  been  paid  to  us  on  account 
of  our  own  deserts,  but  as  a  compliment  to  the  Canadian  people, 
and  as  the  incumbents  of  offices  which  we  can  hold  only  so  long  as 
we  enjoy  their  confidence^  I  can  assure  you,  Mr.  Mayor  and 


Gentlemen,  that  the  moment  that  I  heard  that  this  celebration  was 
contemplated,  I  foresaw  the  important  results  which  are  likely  to 
follow  it.  When  I  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  in  Toronto  the 
deputation  which  you  were  kind  enough  to  send  to  invite  us,  and 
which  was  accompanied  by  my  esteemed  friend,  Governor  Paine, 
I  told  them  that  if  I  were  above  ground  I  should  be  in  Boston  on 
the  17th  of  September.  I  feel,  Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen,  that 
it  is  good  for  us  to  be  here.  It  is  well  that  you,  citizens  of  the 
United  States,  should  have  had  an  opportunity  of  witnessing  the 
enthusiasm  with  which  all  classes  of  Her  Majesty’s  British  Ameri¬ 
can  subjects  responded  to  the  sentiment  proposed  by  the  Mayor, 
“  The  Health  of  the  Queen.”  You  must  be  convinced  that  every 
British  subject  in  this  vast  assemblage  is  animated  by  a  sentiment 
of  devoted  loyalty  and  attachment  to  the  person  and  government 
of  that  beloved  Sovereign.  It  is  likewise  well  that  you  should 
have  witnessed  the  enthusiastic  reception  given  by  all  classes  of 
the  Canadian  people  to  Her  Majesty’s  illustrious  Representative 
in  one  of  the  most  important  possessions  of  the  Crown.  You  must 
he  satisfied,  Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen,  that  w~e  are  a  happy  and 
contented  people.  We  enjoy  the  blessings  of  civil  and  religious 
freedom  under  a  Constitution  which,  as  we  are  proud  to  declare, 
is  the  very  image  and  transcript  of  that  glorious  Constitution 
which  our  ancestors  and  your  ancestors  shed  their  blood  on  the 
held  and  on  the  scaffold  to  obtain.  Differing  in  many  important 
particulars  from  the  written  Constitutions  of  your  States,  there  is 
yet  this  striking  similarity  between  them.  In  our  Provinces,  as 
in  the  States  of  the  American  Union,  the  Government  must  be 
conducted  in  accordance  with  enlightened  public  opinion,  which 
we  ascertain  by  the  votes  of  the  representatives  of  the  people.  It 
is,  Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen,  well  for  us  to  be  here,  because  we 
have  much  to  learn  from  the  people  of  New  England.  Their  his¬ 
tory  has  not  been  a  sealed  book  to  us.  We  can  admire,  as  well  as 
you  can,  the  spirit  which  animated  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  who  landed 
on  Plymouth  Rock.  Whatever  opinions  we  may  entertain  on 
political  questions,  we  have  sufficient  generosity  to  admire  the 
spirit  displayed  by  the  sons  of  New  England  in  your  great  Revo¬ 
lutionary  contest.  We  have  likewise  sufficient  generosity  to 
admire  the  spirit  displayed  at  a  still  later  period  by  the  same  race, 
though  by  another  generation,  in  the  war  of  1812,  in  which  they 
were  frequently  brought  into  collision  with  our  own  gallant  Cana¬ 
dian  militia,  several  officers  of  which,  some  of  them  wearing  deco¬ 
rations  conferred  by  their  Sovereign,  for  their  services  in  the 
field,  are  now  listening  to  me.  We  have  now,  Mr.  Mayor  and 
Gentlemen,  to  admire  the  same  spirit,  developed  in  another  genera¬ 
tion  in  the  prosecution  of  great  enterprizes,  such  as  those  which 
hare  caused  the  demonstration  of  this  evening.  May  we  not 
hope,  Gentlemen,  that  we  shall  be  inspired  with  the  same  faith  in 


184 


the  success  of  these  enterprizes,  which  has  sustained  you — with 
the  same  courage  in  undertaking  them,  and  the  same  perseverance 
in  surmounting  the  obstacles  which  we,  like  you,  shall  have  to 
encounter.  We  have  much  to  learn  from  you,  Citizens  of  Boston, 
but  we  have  no  cause  for  despondency.  Like  the  American  peo¬ 
ple,  we  are  natives  of,  or  descended  from  the  natives  of,  Old  Eng¬ 
land,  Old  France,  Old  Germany,  and  Old  Holland ;  and  works 
that  you  have  accomplished,  we  ought  at  least  to  have  courage  to 
undertake. 

Already  we  have  proved  what  we  are  able  to  accomplish,  by  the 
completion  of  our  line  of  ship  canals — works  so  magnificent  in 
their  character  as  to  be  inferior  to  none  on  this  continent.  Until 
recently,  our  improvements  and  our  trade  have  excited  little  inter¬ 
est  in  Boston.  So  long  as  the  railway  horizon  of  New  England 
was  bounded  by  Salem,  Bradford,  Nashua  and  Providence,  the 
canals  of  Canada  were  of  little  importance  to  you ;  but  nowT  that 
your  railways  extend  to  Lake  Ontario,  you  are  as  deeply  inter¬ 
ested  in  them  as  ourselves  ;  and  I  confess  that  I  was  surprised,  in 
reading  the  pamphlet  which  has  been  placed  in  our  hands,  to  find 
in  it  no  notice  whatever  of  these  great  feeders  of  your  railways. 
But  for  the  Welland  Canal,  the  produce  of  the  far  West  would 
never  reach  the  port  of  Ogdensburgh. 

Intimately  connected  with  this  subject  is  one  which,  I  have 
reason  to  believe,  has  hitherto  attracted  but  little  attention  in  New 
England.  I  allude  to  our  commercial  relations.  Many  of  you,  I 
am  sure,  are  not  aware  that,  until  within  a  few  years,  heavy  differ¬ 
ential  duties  were  imposed  on  American  manufactures  when  enter¬ 
ing  our  province  for  consumption.  Without  any  application  on  the 
part  of  your  government  or  people,  we  spontaneously  repealed 
those  duties,  and  admitted  your  manufactures  on  the  same  terms 
-as  those  of  Great  Britain.  Mark  the  consequence.  Since  that 
time,  our  trade  with  you  has  been  steadily  on  the  increase,  and 
last  year  our  imports  from  the  United  States  were  nearly  equal  to 
those  from  Great  Britain.  The  exports  of  your  manufactures  to 
Canada  are,  if  I  mistake  not,  equal  to  those  to  any  other  three 
nations  to  which  you  trade.  And  in  this  connection  allow  me  to 
mention,  that  one-half  of  the  cargo  of  the  Europa,  which  arrived 
on  the  day  your  celebration  commenced,  was  destined  for  Canada, 
and  has  passed  over  the  lines  of  railroad  which  unite  us,  and  a 
portion  of  it  is  now,  without  doubt,  on  this  last  day  of  your  festi¬ 
val,  on  sale  in  Montreal.  Without  entering  on  the  subject  of 
political  economy,  which  it  would  be  improper  for  me  to  do,  even 
if  time  permitted,  I  would  say  that  your  protectionists  ground 
their  opposition  to  free  trade  with  England  on  the  fact  that  in  that 
country  labor  is  cheap,  and  money  so  plentiful  as  to  cause  a  low 
rate  of  interest  to  rule.  These  objections  do  not  apply  to  us  ;  but 
moreover,  our  trade  with  you  is  of  precisely  that  character  which 


185 


you  profess  to  be  most  anxious  to  encourage.  We  want  to  fur¬ 
nish  you  with  raw  products,  with  lumber,  wheat,  flour,  the  coarser 
grains,  and  other  products  of  our  agriculturists.  We  wish  you  to 
give  us,  in  exchange,  your  domestic  manufactures,  as  well  as  teas, 
sugars,  fruits,  and  other  commodities  obtained  by  you  from  other 
countries  in  exchange  for  your  manufactures.  We  can  give  you 
an  unlimited  supply  of  such  products,  and  the  entire  trade  gives 
employment  to  American  shipping,  as  well  as  to  various  classes  of 
your  operatives.  You  are  too  shrewd  a  people  not  to  perceive 
the  absurdity  of  extending  your  lines  of  railway  to  the  Canadian 
frontier  for  the  purpose  of  facilitating  intercourse  by  means  of 
cheap  transport,  while,  at  the  same  time,  you  keep  up  an  army  of 
customhouse  officers  to  obstruct  the  very  traffic  which  it  is  the 
interest  of  both  countries  to  facilitate.  I  freely  admit,  Gentle¬ 
men,  that  our  interests  will  be  advanced  by  this  freedom  of  trade, 
if  I  may  be  allowed  to  use  an  expression  not  very  popular  in 
Yew  England ;  but  I  do  not  believe  in  the  doctrine  that  in  indi¬ 
vidual  or  in  international  exchanges  it  is  necessary  that  one  party 
must  be  the  loser  by  the  bargain.  I  have  adopted  the  sounder 
opinion  that  in  voluntary  exchanges  each  party  is  well  satisfied 
that  his  bargain  has  been  good.  In  this  assemblage  you  have  a 
large  representation  from  all  classes  of  the  Canadian  people. 
You  have  members  of  the  two  Houses  of  Parliament,  the  Judges 
of  our  land,  the  Mayors  and  Corporations  of  our  principal  cities ; 
our  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  have  left  their  flocks,  Lawyers  have 
left  their  clients,  Doctors  their  patients,  Agriculturists  their 
farms,  Merchants  their  counting-houses,  Mechanics  their  shops. 
Last,  though  certainly  not  the  least,  the  Press,  the  great  expo¬ 
nent  of  public  opinion,  is  represented  by  a  numerous  body  of  the 
corps  editorial.  I  find,  indeed,  all  classes  of  our  people  but  one. 
There  is  an  absence  of  Collectors  of  Customs.  They  are,  unfor¬ 
tunately,  kept  too  busy  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty — which  is, 
to  obstruct  the  trade  between  the  two  countries — to  be  able  to 
assist  at  this  splendid  demonstration.  All,  however,  that  are  here 
are  of  one  mind.  And  I  am  sure  that  I  give  utterance  to  the  uni¬ 
versal  feeling  when  I  again,  Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen,  assure 
you  of  our  deep  gratitude  for  your  hospitable  reception.  [Very 
great  cheering.] 

Although  it  had  now  become  quite  dark  in  the  pavilion, 
wishes  were  expressed  in  all  quarters  to  hear  from  Hon. 
Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  before  adjourning.  He  was  accordingly 
called  upon  by  the  Mayor  to  “  enlighten  the  audience.” 

Mr.  Quincy  remarked, — 

That  he  had  been  requested  to  speak  on  the  important  question 
of  Reciprocity  of  Trade  between  Canada  and  the  United  States, 


186 


but  that  the  lateness  of  the  hour  would  prevent  his  doing  more 
than  addine;  his  congratulations  to  the  shareholders  and  officers  of 

o  o 

the  several  roads  whose  completion  was  now  celebrated.  Their 
sacrifices  and  anxieties  were  forgotten  in  the  general  joy  ;  but  he 
believed  that  whatever  might  be  the  pecuniary  results,  such  a 
recognition  of  the  importance  of  their  labors  must  ever  be  a 
source  of  satisfaction.  He  had  devoted  two  years  exclusively  to 
this  work,  and  been  responsible  personally  for  millions  of  dollars 
in  order  to  insure  its  completion ;  and  when  the  Head  of  the 
Nation  and  the  Representative  of  the  Queen  met  to  acknowledge 
the  national  importance  of  the  undertaking,  he  felt  that  neither 
his  friends  nor  himself  had  labored  in  vain. 

After  some  further  remarks,  Mr.  Qjjincy  gave,  alluding  to 
the  darkness  of  the  Pavilion, — 

“  The  Canadians  and  Bostonians , — They  may  meet  after  sun¬ 
down  and  without  candles,  but  can  never  again  be  in  the  dark  as  it 
respects  the  sentiments  they  entertain  for  one  another.”  [Cheers 
and  laughter.] 

After  three  cheers  for  the  Ladies,  given  at  the  suggestion  of 
Lord  Elgin,  the  Mayor,  intimating  that,  although  it  was  dark 
within  the  pavilion,  the  City,  without,  was  blazing  with 
illuminations  and  fireworks,  put  the  cpiestion,  “  Shall  this 
meeting  now  be  dissolved?”  This  was  carried  nem.  con ., 
and  the  Mayor  closed  the  ceremonies  with  these  emphatic 
words, — 

“  The  meeting  is  dissolved  accordingly.  God  Save  the 
Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts.” 


Immediately  on  leaving  the  Pavilion,  the  President  and  his 
Suite,  accompanied  by  Alderman  Rogers,  the  State  Commit¬ 
tee,  Lieutenant  Colonels  Heard,  Chapman  and  Needham,  of 
the  Governor’s  Staff,  and  Benjamin  Stevens,  Esq.,  Sergeant- 
at-Arms,  took  the  cars  for  Pall  River,  where  they  arrived  at 
8  1-2  o’clock,  and  went  on  board  the  steamer  Empire  State, 
for  Newport. 


187 


On  taking  leave  of  the  President  at  Newport,  Colonel 
Heard  said, — 

Mr.  President, — 

In  compliance  with  instructions  from  Ilis  Excellency,  the  Gov¬ 
ernor  of  Massachusetts,  his  military  staff  will  now  take  their  leave 
of  you.  In  doing  so,  permit  me  to  say  that  the  duty  of  the  staff, 
in  attending  you  to  and  from  the  capitol  of  the  State,  has  been  to 
them  a  most  pleasant  one,  and  they  trust  that  the  manner  in 
which  it  has  been  discharged  meets  with  your  approval. 

To  which  the  President  replied  as  follows, — 

Colonel, — 

I  feel  deeply  grateful  to  the  Governor  of  Massachusetts  for 
the  kind  attention  and  the  many  tokens  of  respect  he  has  been 
pleased  to  show  me  from  the  time  I  first  entered  the  borders  of 
your  State. 

And  to  you,  Gentlemen,  I  will  say,  that  nothing  has  given  me 
greater  pleasure  than  the  personal  attention  and  gentlemanly 
kindness  which  I  have  received  from  the  Governor’s  Staff. 

Gen.  Wilson,  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  then  said — 

Mr.  President, — 

Having  accompanied  you  to  the  borders  of  the  Commonwealth, 
we  must  now  take  our  leave  by  bidding  you  farewell.  In  behalf 
of  the  Committee,  and  in  the  name  of  the  Commonwealth,  allow 
me  to  express  to  you  the  high  gratification  which  your  visit  has 
conferred.  I  need  not  speak  for  the  people  ;  they  have  spoken 
for  themselves.  I  hope,  Sir,  that  you  and  the  members  of  your 
Cabinet  who  have  accompanied  you,  have  received  pleasure  from 
this  visit.  I  trust,  Sir,  you  will  return  to  the  Capitol,  with  the 
assurance  that  the  people  of  Massachusetts  know  no  lines  of  lati¬ 
tude  or  of  longitude,  but  that  they  embrace  in  their  affections  the 
whole  country  and  all  the  people,  of  every  race  and  condition. 

The  President,  in  reply,  said  that  his  visit  had  been  one  of 
unalloyed  enjoyment.  He  had  had  no  previous  conception  of 
what  he  and  his  associates  had  witnessed.  He  rejoiced  in  the 
evidences  of  prosperity  which  had  presented  themselves  to  him, 
and  he  felt  sure  that  the  people  loved  the  whole  country,  knowing 
no  North,  no  South,  no  East,  no  West.  He  thanked  the  Com¬ 
mittee  for  the  attention  which  he  and  his  associates  had  received 
from  them,  and  wished  them  prosperity  and  happiness. 


188 


The  President,  find  the  distinguished  gentlemen  who  had 
accompanied  him  hither,  then  took  leave  of  their  escort,  and 
proceeded  on  their  return  to  Washington. 

Although  multitudes,  in  the  city  and  its  neighborhood,  had 
been  deprived,  by  the  temporary  indisposition  of  the  Presi¬ 
dent  and  the  necessity  for  his  early  departure,  of  the  satis¬ 
faction  of  seeing  and  welcoming  him  on  the  last  day  of  his 
visit,  still  his  presence  at  Boston  on  this  occasion  was  the 
source  of  the  highest  pleasure  to  her  citizens.  The  impres¬ 
sions  which  his  courteous,  cordial  and  dignified  manners, 
his  undisguised  enjoyment  of  the  scenes  he  witnessed,  and 
the  warm  interest  he  manifested  in  the  prosperity  and  welfare 
of  the  city,  left  upon  the  minds  of  her  people,  will  not  soon 
be  effaced.  Not  only  his  eminent  office  entitled  him  to  re¬ 
spect,  but  his  own  admirable  qualities  commanded  the  most 
cordial  esteem.  The  people  of  Boston  will  long  cherish  the 
recollection  of  his  visit,  and  the  pleasant  associations  which 
connect  his  name  with  the  festive  scenes  of  the  celebration. 


As  night  closed  over  the  city — the  last  night  of  the  Jubi¬ 
lee — and  while  thousands  thronged  the  streets  happy  in  the 
consciousness  of  pleasure  given  and  received,  and  rejoicing 
that  their  most  sanguine  anticipations  had  been  so  fully  real¬ 
ized,  and  that  the  connection  of  the  City  to  the  once  remote 
Provinces  of  the  North  and  distant  regions  of  the  West  had 
already  produced  a  gladsome  harvest  of  kindly  social  inter¬ 
course  and  mutual  regard  ;  the  illuminations  which  had  been 
prepared  to  illustrate  this  hoped  for  result,  and  as  emblematic 
not  only  of  present  joy,  but  of  bright  hope  for  the  future, 
one  by  one,  irradiated  the  scene,  and  called  forth  the  admira¬ 
tion  of  all. 

To  describe  the  various  and  brilliant  exhibitions  of  that 
kind,  which  were  witnessed  in  many  parts  of  the  city,  is  of 
course  impossible,  but  such  reports,  as  are  at  hand,  of  particu- 


189 


lar  displays  will  however  be  given ;  though  perhaps  there 
were  others,  equally  worthy  of  notice,  the  peculiar  features 
of  which  cannot  now  be  ascertained. 

The  Old  State  House,  for  many  years  the  Capitol  of 
the  Province  of  Massachusetts,  and  now  venerable  for  its  age, 
was  most  brilliantly  illuminated,  as  were  also  the  buildings 
on  each  side  of  it,  among  which  the  “  Journal  ”  building  was 
conspicuous ;  so  that  the  head  of  the  street  was  as  light  as 
day. 

The  City  Hall  was  one  blaze  of  light  on  both  sides,  and 
the  situation  of  the  building  added  greatly  to  the  effective¬ 
ness  of  the  display. 

The  Tremont  House  is  especially  worthy  of  notice  for 
the  extent  and  splendor  of  its  illumination.  The  columns 
of  the  portico  were  like  pillars  of  flame.  Two  thousand 
lights  were  placed  in  the  windows,  besides  which  there  were 
dazzling  rosettes  of  gas  in  front.  The  exhibition  called  forth 
the  warmest  encomiums  of  thousands. 

The  piano-forte  manufactory  of  Hallett,  Davis  &  Co.,  No. 
409  Washington  street,  rivalled  the  most  brilliant  displays  in 
the  city.  More  than  six  hundred  and  thirty  lights  were 
burning,  while  the  architecture  of  the  building,  with  its  dark 
freestone  front,  served  as  a  set-off,  and  added  much  to  the 
magnificence  of  the  sight.  A  continual  flight  of  rockets, 
wheels,  blue  lights,  and  other  pyrotechnics,  were  discharged 
from  the  front  of  the  building. 

Comer’s  Initiatory  Counting  Room,  at  the  corner  of  Wash¬ 
ington  and  School  streets,  was  lighted  up  with  more  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty  lamps,  which  gave  it  a  truly  resplen¬ 
dent  appearance. 

The  beautiful  facade  of  the  American  House,  in  Hanover 
street,  was  radiant  with  the  numerous  and  tastefully  arranged 
lights  which  blazed  at  every  window. 

Faneuil  Hall,  the  time-honored  “  Cradle  of  Liberty,”  was 
also,  on  this  joyous  occasion,  most  brilliantly  illuminated 
from  its  base  to  the  cupola,  and  surrounded  by  crowds  of  de¬ 
lighted  spectators,  attracted  thither  as  well  by  their  interest 


in  the  noble  old  building  itself,  as  by  the  beautiful  spectacle 
it  presented  amid  the  commingled  blaze  of  a  thousand  lights. 

Of  the  numerous  displays  which  were  made  by  the  public 
spirit  of  individuals  or  companies,  no  one,  perhaps,  surpassed 
that  which  was  exhibited  by  the  Boston  Gas  Light  Co.  on 
Washington  street.  In  front  of  the  office  of  this  Company 
was  seen  the  word  “  Union,5’  in  “letters  of  living  light,” 
supported  by  four  vines,  above  all  which  blazed  a  single  star 
of  dazzling  brilliancy.  The  simplicity  and  significance  of 
the  design,  combined  with  the  perfect  success  of  its  execu¬ 
tion,  merited  and  received  the  hearty  admiration  of  the 
throngs  which  lingered  near. 

But  before  the  eye  had  been  wearied  with  the  radiant,  but 
now  fading,  beauty  of  the  illuminations,  it  was  anew  delight¬ 
ed  with  the  splendor  of  the  fire  works  which  were  now 
blazing  in  all  parts  of  the  city. 

These  coruscations,  one  after  another,  disappeared ;  the 
multitudes  reluctantly  but  quietly  dispersed  ;  the  sounds  of 
festivity  gradually  died  on  the  ear,  and  soon  the  silence  of 
night  reigned  over  the  City.  The  Jubilee  was  at  an  end. 


191 


CONCLUSION. 

It  only  remains,  in  order  to  bring  the  account  of  the  cele¬ 
bration  to  its  conclusion,  to  notice  a  few  of  the  events  which 
occurred  on  the  succeeding  day. 

And  it  may  not  be  unworthy  of  remark  that  unlike  the 
three  preceding  days,  which  were  singularly  beautiful,  the 
morning  of  Saturday,  Sept.  20th,  was  cloudy,  and  gave  evi¬ 
dent  tokens  of  an  approaching  storm.  u  How  fortunate  !  ” 
was  the  exclamation  that  came  unbidden  from  the  lips  of  all, 
in  view  of  the  great  disappointment  so  many  would  have 
felt,  had  the  clouds  gathered  earlier. 

“  Triste  lupus  stabulis,  maturis  frugibus  imbres, 

Arboribus  venti,” 

but  quite  as  sad  a  thing  and  as  much  to  be  lamented  would 
have  been  an  equinoctial  storm  in  the  midst  of  the  festivities 
of  the  Jubilee.  Happy,  indeed,  was  it,  and  gratefully  to  be 
remembered,  that  no  such  occurrence  was  permitted  to  de¬ 
range  the  preparations  which  had  been  made  for  the  occasion  ; 
but  that,  on  the  contrary,  even  the  very  elements  of  nature 
seemed  to  combine,  to  throw  over  the  festive  scenes  all  the 
glories  of  a  New  England  summer. 

This  was  the  day  for  separation,  and  in  the  course  of  it 
the  greater  number  of  those  who  had  come  from  Canada, 
and  other  distant  places,  took  their  departure  j  though  many 
still  remained  to  visit  the  schools  and  other  public  institu¬ 
tions  of  the  city  and  vicinity. 

Very  early  in  the  morning  Lord  Elgin  took  his  departure,* 
bearing  with  him  an  abundant  harvest  of  golden  opinions  and 
cordial  good  wishes.  Having  declined  a  public  escort,  he  was 
attended  to  the  Lowell  Railroad  Station  by  Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow 
and  John  P.  Putnam,  Esq.,  of  the  Council,  and  was  accom- 


*  Lord  Elgin  reached  Montreal  in  sixteen  hours  from  the  time  of  leaving  Bos¬ 
ton,  by  the  route  of  the  Lowell  and  Vermont  Central  Railroads.  For  remarks 
upon  his  visit  to  Boston,  see  his  Answer  to  an  Address  of  the  Corporation  of 
Montreal,  in  the  Appendix. 


192 


panied  to  his  home  by  his  Suite,  Gov.  Paine,  of  Vermont,  and 
the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  Montreal. 

In  the  course  of  the  morning  a  large  number  of  the  guests 
(about  two  hundred)  from  Canada  met  at  the  Revere  House, 
and  marched  thence  in  procession  to  the  City  Hall,  where 
they  presented  to  the  Mayor  the  following  address  of  thanks, 
(read  by  Judge  Aylwin,)  which  had  been  prepared  by  a  Com¬ 
mittee*  of  their  number,  appointed  for  that  purpose  at  a 
meeting  held  on  the  previous  evening  : — 

To  the  Municipal  Authorities  and  Citizens  of  Boston  : 

While  we,  inhabitants  of  Canada,  congratulate  you  on  the  com¬ 
pletion  of  the  numerous  and  extended  lines  of  Railroad  in  your 
State,  and  acknowledge  the  benefits  which  we,  as  well  as  your¬ 
selves,  must  derive  from  them,  we  cannot  depart  from  your  city 
without  an  earnest  assurance  of  our  sense  of  the  munificent  hos¬ 
pitality  and  kindness  with  which  we  have  been  received  and 
entertained  by  you  on  this  interesting  occasion. 

It  would  be  impossible,  within  the  compass  of  a  hurried  address, 
to  enter  at  length  into  the  feelings  of  gratification  which  the 
events  of  the  last  three  days  have  left  on  our  minds,  or  adequately 
to  express  the  sentiments  to  which  these  events  have  given  rise. 

There  are  recollections  connected  with  the  relations  which  the 
Province  in  which  we  are  residents  bears  to  the  great  country 
of  which  your  city  is  one  of  the  proudest  ornaments,  that  render 
the  interchange  of  kindly  feelings  a  matter  of  deeper  interest 
than  would  attach  to  the  same  intercourse  between  the  several 
cities  of  either  country;  and  we  congratulate  you  that,  with  a 
magnanimity  worthy  of  the  intellectual  and  moral  culture  for 
which  your  city  is  justly  famed,  you  have  furnished  an  example 
which  has  warmed  into  life  and  strength  those  genial  impulses  of 
mutual  friendship  which  ought  ever  to  exist  between  those  who 
are  bound  together  by  so  many  ties  of  a  common  brotherhood. 
The  passing  enjoyments  must  yield  to  the  stern  pursuits  of  life ; 
but  there  are  impressions  and  sympathies  which  no  lapse  of  time 
can  efface  or  chill. 

We  shall  long  remember  the  occasion  upon  which  we  have  been 
thus  so  happily  drawn  together — it  will  constitute  an  important 
era  in  the  history  of  your  State  and  of  our  Province.  Your 
magnificent  railroad  communications  with  the  other  States  of  the 
Union  and  the  British  Provinces  afford  to  the  continent  of  Ameri¬ 
ca  and  the  world  at  large  a  bright  example  of  what  may  be 
achieved  by  the  intelligence  and  indomitable  energy  of  an  enlight¬ 
ened  people. 

*  See  Appendix,  for  names  and  proceedings  of  the  Committee. 


193 


Permit  us,  then,  to  offer  to  you  in  our  own  name,  and  we  may 
venture  to  add,  in  the  name  of  the  Province  of  Canada,  our 
heartfelt  thanks  for  the  welcome  extended  to  us,  for  the  courtesy 
with  which  we  have  been  treated,  and  most  of  all,  for  that  kindly 
spirit  which  has  beamed  in  every  face,  and  greeted  us  in  every 
part  of  your  prosperous  city,  and  to  add  our  fervent  wish  for  your 
welfare,  and  that  this  great  meeting  may  be  but  a  beginning  of 
those  social  and  friendly  relations  which  it  is  the  duty  not  less  of 
nations  than  of  individuals  to  cultivate. 

On  behalf  of  the  meeting, 

T.  C.  Aylwin,  Chairman. 
John  Rose,  Secretary. 

Boston,  19th  Sept.  1851. 

After  reading  the  address,  and  receiving  the  reply  of  the 
Mayor,  the  delegation  withdrew  to  the  square  in  front  of  the 
City  Hall,  and  gave  three  cheers  for  Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow,  and 
six  for  the  city  of  Boston. 

Subsequently,  the  Canadian  Ministers,  together  with  Sir 
Allan  McNab,  appeared  and  presented  the  following  expression 
of  their  sentiments  through  the  Honorable  Mr.  Hincks : — 

To  His  Honor  the  Mayor  and  the  City  Council  of  Boston  : 

We,  the  undersigned,  while  cordially  concurring  in  every  senti¬ 
ment  of  the  address  presented  to  you  by  our  fellow  subjects  from 
Canada,  feel  called  upon  to  acknowledge  the  attentions  which  we 
have  received  as  special  guests  of  the  city  of  Boston,  on  the 
interesting  occasion  of  your  great  Railroad  and  Steamship  Jubilee, 
and  to  assure  you  one  and  all  that  we  shall  long  remember  your 
hospitalities  with  gratitude,  and  that  nothing  will  afford  us  greater 
pleasure  than  to  have  an  opportunity  of  reciprocating  them. 

E.  Hincks, 

Inspector  General. 

E.  P.  Tache, 

Receiver  General. 

Jos.  Bourret, 

Chief  Commissioner  of  Public  Works. 

J.  H.  Price. 

Commissioner  of  Crown  Lands. 

Lewis  T,  Drummond, 

Solicitor  General  for  Lower  Canada. 

J.  Sandfield  Macdonald, 

Solicitor  General  for  Upper  Canada. 

Hamilton  H.  Killaly, 

Assistant  Commissioner  of  Public  Works. 

Allan  1ST.  McNab. 

Boston,  20th  September,  1851, 

25 


194 


A  deputation,  consisting  of  Mr.  Mayor  Bowes  of  Toronto, 
and  several  members  of  the  Council  of  that  city,  next 
appeared,  and  read  the  following  address : — 

To  His  Honor  the  Mayor  of  Boston  : 

Sir  : — The  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  Toronto,  in  taking  leave 
of  the  Mayor  and  other  municipal  authorities  of  Boston,  beg  to  ex¬ 
press  their  deep  sense  of  the  unbounded  hospitality  shown  to 
them  during  their  stay  in  this  city ;  and  they  know  they  can 
speak  confidently  in  assuring  the  municipal  authorities  of  Boston 
that  the  debt  of  obligation  thus  contracted  will  be  gladly  acknowl¬ 
edged  by  their  fellow  citizens  of  Toronto ;  and  they  trust  that 
the  kindly  feelings  thus  created,  may  continue  to  increase,  and 
produce  its  appropriate  results  in  a  frequent  interchange  of  those 
courtesies  which  are  so  agreeable  in  themselves,  and  so  eminently 
conducive  to  the  welfare  of  cities,  as  ay  ell  as  of  individuals. 

They  beg,  in  conclusion,  to  offer  the  expression  of  their  sincere 
hope,  that  the  most  sanguine  anticipations  of  the  new  lines  of 
railroad,  whose  opening  gave  occasion  to  the  recent  truly  magnifi¬ 
cent  festivities,  may  be  amply  realized  in  the  opening  up  of  new 
channels  of  commerce  and  the  consequent  increased  prosperity  of 
the  city  of  Boston. 

John  G.  Bo  ayes,  Mayor. 

Boston,  September  20,  1851, 

The  following  address  was  then  presented  by  a  large  depu¬ 
tation  from  the  citizens  of  Toronto,  who  were  present  at  the 
celebration : — 

To  the  Mayor  and  Municipal  Authorities  of  the  City  of  Boston : 

Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen  : 

We  the  undersigned,  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Toronto  and  its 
vicinity,  who  have  been  partakers  of  the  hospitality  of  your  city 
during  the  Railroad  Festival  which  has  just  been  concluded,  beg 
leave,  before  departing  for  our  homes,  to  return  to  you  our 
warmest  thanks  for  the  attention  which  wre  have  received  from 
you  and  your  fellow  citizens,  and  to  express  to  you  our  most 
grateful  acknowledgments  for  the  honor  and  the  pleasure  con¬ 
ferred  upon  us  in  being  made  participators  in  a  Jubilee,  calcu¬ 
lated,  as  we  devoutly  hope,  to  cement  and  render  permanent  an 
union,  of  interests  as  well  as  of  affection,  between  the  citizens 
ot  our  respective  countries,  so  happily  commenced  under  your 
auspices. 

Through  the  instrumentality  of  the  works,  the  completion  of 
which  we  have  been  invited  to  celebrate,  we  flatter  ourselves  that 


195 


we  see  a  tide  of  prosperity  flowing  into  Canada  from  your  shores 
which,  in  its  ebb,  will  convey  back  to  you  the  productions  of  a 
soil  teeming  with  wealth  incalculable  and  as  yet  to  you  unknown. 

Through  our  Province  and  through  our  city  the  iron  link,  which 
is  to  connect  your  city  with  the  “Far  West,”  must  of  necessity 
be  made  ;  and  we  are  not  blind  to  the  importance,  to  ourselves,  as 
well  as  to  you,  that  this  link  should  be  formed  with  as  little  delay 
as  possible. 

In  extending  these  channels  for  commercial  intercourse  through 
our  country,  it  will  be  our  object  to  endeavor  to  emulate  you  in 
that  spirit  of  enterprise  and  self-reliance  which  has  not  only  ele¬ 
vated  your  city  to  its  present  prosperous  position,  but  is  one  of 
the  chief  of  your  national  characteristics,  and  to  which  in  a  great 
measure  your  country  is  indebted  for  that  exalted  rank  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth  which  it  has  attained  within  so  short  a 
period. 

We  feel  assured  that  our  exertions  will  be  attended  with  your 
hearty  wishes  for  our  speedy  success. 

The  destinies  of  the  world  for  good  or  for  ill,  for  peace  or  for 
war,  are  suspended  in  the  united  hands  of  the  two  great  nations 
to  which  we  respectively  belong;  and  we  sincerely  pray  that 
the  sentiments  of  fraternal  regard  with  which  we  have  felt  in¬ 
spired  during  the  celebration  of  your  great  festival  may  be  per¬ 
petual,  and  that  peace  and  happiness  under  the  joint  influence  of 
our  respective  Rulers  may  forever  pervade  the  earth. 


John  Arnold, 

A.  M.  Clark, 

Edward  G-.  O’Brien, 
Wm.  Rees, 

John  lVI.  Gwynne, 
Alex’r  Dixon, 

E.  Bradburne, 

George  Ewart, 

Thos.  Davidson, 
Robert  S.  Maitland, 
Walter  Gorham, 
Alex.  Manning, 

John  Patton, 

John  Watkins, 

W.  B.  Skelton, 
Richard  Dempsey, 
Thos.  Brunskill, 
Joseph  Rogerson, 
Gavin  Russell,  M.D., 
John  Welsh, 

Wm.  Hallowell,  M.D., 
Jas.  Jno.  Hayes,  M.D., 
Edw’d  Goldsmith, 


Wm.  Turner, 

W.  E.  Twynam, 

Russel  Xnglis, 

Jno.  C.  Betteridge, 

J.  R.  Mountjoy, 

R.  Pilkington  Crooks, 
Kivas  Tully, 

J.  Dodsley  Humphreys, 
Charles  L.  Davies, 
George  Herrick,  M.  D., 
Jas.  Reed, 

John  Elliott, 

James  Hodgert, 

Robert  Davis, 

W.  J.  Fitzgerald, 

J.  Silverthorn, 

Jas.  Young, 

George  Cheney, 

Eyre  M.  Shaw, 

Robt.  Beekman, 
Frederick  Perkins, 

A.  Y.  Brown, 

Angus  Dallas. 


196 


Geo.  A.  Phillpotts, 
Rice  Lewis, 

John  Hutchinson, 
Franklin  Jackes, 
John  Cotton, 


Charles  Robertson, 
Edward  Lawson, 
John  IIelliwell, 
John  M.  Monro. 


To  each  of  these  addresses  the  Mayor  responded  in  an 
appropriate  manner,  but  their  presentation  being  wholly 
unexpected,  no  reporters  were  present,  and  no  sketches  of 
the  replies  have  been  preserved  excepting  a  portion  of  the 
answer  to  the  Canadian  Ministry,  having  special  reference  to 
Lord  Elgin. 

In  this  reply,  after  reciprocating  expressions  of  consideration 
and  regard,  and  touching  upon  appropriate  topics,  the  Mayor 
said  that  he  availed  himself  of  the  occasion  to  speak  of  his  own 
impressions,  and  the  impresssions  of  those  whom  he  repre¬ 
sented,  concerning  His  Excellency,  the  Governor  General ; 
the  shortness  of  whose  visit,  was  the  subject  of  regret 
throughout  the  City.  His  frank  and  courteous  bearing,  his 
ready  and  generous  appreciation  of  the  character  of  our  people 
and  institutions,  his  glowing  and  captivating  eloquence  of 
speech,  indicating  a  cultivated  intellect  of  the  highest  order, 
had  commanded  the  respect  and  admiration  of  this  community 
for  him  as  a  man,  no  less  than  as  the  accomplished  representa¬ 
tive  of  his  Sovereign.  Although  “rank”  is  not  always  like 
“  the  guinea’s  stamp  ”  indicative  of  intrinsic  worth,  yet  in  this 
case  none  will  question  that  the  patent,  emanating  from  royal 
favor,  worthily  graces  a  nobility  of  nature’s  own  coining. 

The  Mayor  then  alluded  to  the  genealogy  of  Lord  Elgin,  and 
spoke  of  the  services  of  his  ancestor,  the  first  Lord  Bruce  of 
Kinloss,  in  preparing  the  way  to  a  peaceful  union  of  the  Crowns 
of  England  and  Scotland,  on  the  death  of  Elizabeth, — a  union, 
he  said, pregnant  with  the  most  momentous  consequences  to  the 
progress  of  the  Anglo  Saxon  race,  and  which  will  never  cease  to 
affect  the  destinies  of  mankind.  James  was  indeed  the  rightful 
heir,  but  the  English  aristocracy  (the  Commons  had  but  little 
weight  at  that  period)  naturally  looked  with  no  small  jealousy 
at  the  accession  of  a  foreign  monarch  to  the  throne  of  the 
Tudors;  accompanied,  and  doubtless  to  be  influenced,  by  the 
nobles  of  his  native  land.  Had  such  jealousy  availed  to 


197 


exclude  the  Scottish  King,  a  war  of  succession  would  proba¬ 
bly  have  ensued,  which  would  have  wasted  the  resources  and 
crippled  the  strength  of  both  countries,  for  successive  gener¬ 
ations.  At  any  rate,  for  want  of  Union,  neither  country  could 
have  kept  pace  with  the  advance  of  continental  nations,  in 
prosperity  and  power.  The  star  of  France  would  have  culmi¬ 
nated  without  a  rival.  England  could  have  had  neither  fleets 
nor  armies  adequate  to  protect  her  own  colonies,  (if  indeed 
she  would  ever  have  possessed  any,)  much  less  to  wrest  such 
from  the  hands  of  her  powerful  antagonist.  The  annals  of 
modern  warfare  on  this  continent,  as  well  as  elsewhere,  would 
have  been  far  different  from  the  existing  record, — Montcalm 
might  have  lived  to  the  natural  term  of  an  honored  life,  and 
the  blood  of  Wolfe  might  not  have  sealed  his  country’s  tri¬ 
umph. 

The  great  current  of  human  events  is  often  turned  by 
seemingly  inadequate  causes ;  and  it  may  be  that  the  festi¬ 
val  which  has  assembled  in  harmonious  fellowship  so  much 
of  the  talent,  wealth,  and  representation  of  power,  of  the 
British  and  American  nations,  will  exercise  an  important 
influence  in  confirming  and  perpetuating  amity  between 
branches  of  a  kindred  race.  Our  celebration  will  owe  much 
of  its  moral  and  political  effect  to  the  presence,  and  concilia¬ 
tory  bearing,  of  him  who  has  represented,  in  chief,  the  Mother 
Country  and  her  colonies,  on  the  occasion.  If,  as  I  believe,  he 
has  contributed  largely  to  strengthen  the  bonds  of  national 
brotherhood,  and  thereby  to  the  diffusion  of  the  immortal 
principles  of  “  peace  on  earth  and  good  will”  among  men,  he 
will  have  added  new  lustre  to  the  honors  of  a  house,  which 
history  has  adorned  with  the  laurels  of  Bannockburn. 


Here  concludes  the  account  of  the  Railroad  Jubilee.  The 
motives  which  led  to  its  institution  have  been  already  stated, 
and  the  eloquent  words  of  the  deputation  of  the  citizens  of 
Toronto  may  well  be  used  to  express  also  the  sentiments  of 
the  citizens  of  Boston,  in  regard  to  its  moral  result : 


198 


“  The  destinies  of  the  world  for  good  or  for  ill,  for  peace 
or  for  war,  are  in  a  great  degree  suspended  in  the  united 
hands  of  the  two  great  nations  to  which  we  respectively 
belong — and  we  sincerely  pray,  that  the  sentiments  of  frater¬ 
nal  regard,  with  which  we  have  felt  inspired  during  the 
celebration  of  this  Festival,  may  be  perpetual,  and  that  peace 
and  happiness,  under  the  joint  influence  of  our  respective 
Rulers,  may  forever  pervade  the  earth.” 


APPENDIX. 


•  5 


APPENDIX. 


OFFICIAL  CORRESPONDENCE  IN  RELATION  TO 
LORD  ELGIN’S  VISIT  TO  BOSTON. 

The  following  correspondence  between  the  Representative  of  Great 
Britain  at  Washington,  and  the  Secretary  of  State,  grew  out  of  the 
late  visit  of  Lord  Elgin  to  this  city : 

Washington,  Noy.  28,  1851. 

Sir  : — In  reference  to  our  late  conversation,  I  have  the  honor  to 
enclose  the  copy  of  a  despatch  which  has  been  addressed  to  me  by 
Her  Majesty’s  principal  Secretary  of  State  for  Foreign  Affairs,  by 
which  I  am  instructed  to  express  the  gratification  felt  by  Her 
Majesty’s  Government  on  being  apprized  of  the  cordial  reception 
which  was  given  to  the  Earl  of  Elgin  during  the  ceremonies  which 
took  place  at  Boston  on  the  17th,  18th,  and  19th  of  September  last, 
in  celebration  of  the  completion  of  a  line  of  railroad  connecting  the 
Canadas  with  New  England ;  and  in  expressing  the  grateful  sense 
which  Lord  Elgin  entertains  of  the  courtesy  and  hospitality  which  he 
experienced  during  his  visit  to  Boston,  to  convey  to  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  and  the  citizens  of  Boston,  the  cordial  thanks  of 
Her  Majesty’s  Government  for  this  proof  of  their  kindly  feelings 
towards  Her  Majesty’s  Government  and  the  British  nation. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to  renew  to  you,  Sir,  the  assu¬ 
rance  of  my  highest  consideration. 

John  F.  Crampton. 

The  Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 


Foreign  Office,  Oct.  31,  1851. 

Sir  : — With  reference  to  your  despatch,  No.  23,  of  the  20th  of 

September,  reporting  the  cordial  reception  'which  was  given  to 

26 


202 


the  Earl  of  Elgin  during  the  ceremonies  which  took  place  at  Boston 
on  the  17th,  18th,  and  19th  of  September,  in  celebration  of  the  com- 
pletion'of  the  line  of  railroad  connecting  the  Canadas  with  New  Eng¬ 
land,  I  have  to  acquaint  you  that  Her  Majesty’s  Secretary  of  State 
for  the  Colonial  Department  has  received  from  Lord  Elgin  a  despatch 
to  the  same  effect  respecting  his  visit  to  Boston  ;  and,  in  compliance 
with  Earl  Grey’s  request,  I  have  to  instruct  you  to  state  to  the  Gov¬ 
ernment  of  the  United  States  that  Her  Majesty’s  Government  have 
read  with  great  pleasure  the  accounts  which  have  reached  them  of 
the  distinguished  reception  which  was  given  to  Lord  Elgin  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  by  the  citizens  of  Boston,  on  the 
occasion  in  question,  and  that  Her  Majesty’s  Government  are  more 
especially  gratified  by  it,  inasmuch  as  they  look  upon  it  as  a  proof  of 
the  prevalence  and  extension  of  that  good  and  friendly  feeling  between 
the  people  of  the  two  countries  which  Her  Majesty’s  Government  are 
so  desirous  to  encourage  and  confirm. 

You  will  also  say  that  Lord  Elgin  entertains  the  most  grateful 
sense  of  the  courtesy  and  hospitality  which  he  experienced  during  his 
visit  to  Boston,  and  that  Her  Majesty’s  Government  also  beg  most 
cordially  to  thank  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  the  citizens 
of  Boston,  for  this  proof  of  their  kindly  feeling  towards  Her  Majesty 
and  the  British  nation. 


I  am,  &c., 


Palmerston. 


John  F.  Crampton,  Esq.,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 


Department  of  State, 
Washington,  November  26,  1851. 

Sir  : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  note 
of  the  22d  instant,  accompanied  by  a  copy  of  a  despatch  addressed 
to  you  by  Her  Majesty’s  principal  Secretary  of  State  for  Foreign 
Affairs,  directing  you  to  express  to  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
and  the  citizens  of  Boston,  the  cordial  thanks  of  Her  Majesty’s  Gov¬ 
ernment  for  the  reception  given  to  the  Earl  of  Elgin  during  the  cere¬ 
monies  which  took  place  at  Boston  on  the  17th,  18th,  and  19th  of 
September  last,  in  celebration  of  the  completion  of  a  line  of  railroad 
connecting  the  Canadas  with  New  England. 

Your  communication  has  been  laid  before  the  President,  who  has 
directed  me  to  express,  in  reply,  his  gratification  that  Her  Majesty’s 
Government  should  have  been  favorably  impressed  with  the  reception 
given  to  Lord  Elgin  on  the  occasion  referred  to. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity,  sir,  to  offer  to  you  a  renewed 
assurance  of  my  very  distinguished  consideration. 

Daniel  Webster. 

John  F.  Crampton,  Esq.,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 


203 


BOROUGH  OF  BOSTON,  ENGLAND, 

AND 

CITY  OF  BOSTON,  MASS. 

The  three  letters,  which  follow,  have  been  recently  printed  by  order 

/ 

Of  the  City  Council,  and  although  they  have  no  reference  to  the  cele¬ 
bration  of  September,  they  are  inserted  here,  not  only  as  historically 
interesting  to  the  citizens  of  Boston,  but  as  another  “  proof  of  the 
prevalence  and  extension  of  that  good  and  friendly  feeling  between 
the  people  of  the  two  countries,”  which  it  is  so  desirable  to  cultivate 
and  confirm,  and  which,  it  is  hoped  and  believed,  if  not  one  of  the 
primary  objects,  will  be  one  of  the  lasting  results,  of  that  celebration. 

City  Hall,  Boston,  Dec.  4,  1851. 

Sir  : — I  transmit  to  the  Common  Council  certain  interesting  seals 
and  documents,  which  I  received  some  time  since  from  the  Borough 
of  Boston,  in  England,  through  the  agency  of  John  Louis  Clarke, 
Esq.,  of  this  City.  Mr.  Clarke’s  letter,  together  with  one  from  the 
Mayor  of  that  Borough,  which  accompany  this  communication,  will 
explain  the  circumstances  which  led  to  the  transmission  of  these 
acceptable  presents.  The  frame,  in  which  the  seals  are  encased,  is 
stated  to  have  been  made  out  of  one  of  the  original  timbers  of  the 
church  in  which  John  Cotton  preached,  for  some  years  previous  to 
his  emigration  to  this  country, — the  Cotton,  in  honor  of  whom  our 
City  is  supposed  to  have  been  named.  Such  a  fact,  in  an  antiquarian 
point  of  view,  enhances  the  value  of  the  gift. 

I  recommend  that  the  seals  be  placed  in  some  conspicuous  position 
in  the  Council  Chamber,  and  that  the  letters  be  printed  and  placed 
on  file. 

I  have  caused  a  suitable  acknowledgment  of  the  compliment, 
together  with  books  and  maps  appertaining  to  our  City  and  State,  to 
be  forwarded  to  the  authorities  of  the  Borough  of  Boston.* 

Respectfully,  &c., 

John  P.  Bigelow,  Mayor. 

To  the  Honorable 

Francis  Brinley, 

President  of  the  Common  Council. 

*  Note,  [by  the  Mayor,)  attached  to  the  foregoing  Message. 

Boston  is  a  seaport,  market  town  and  borough  of  Lincolnshire,  on  the  River 
Witham,  ninety  miles  north  of  London.  The  name  is  an  abridgement  of 
“Botolph’s  Town.”  In  1630  there  were  probably  about  600  families  in  the 
borough.  In  1811  it  had  1,837  houses  and  8,113  inhabitants.  In  1841  its  popu¬ 
lation  had  increased  to  34,680.  Its  principal  object  of  curiosity  is  its  famous 
church,  (St.  Botolph’s,)  tlie  foundation  of  which  was  laid  in  1309.  The  building, 
which  is  in  the  Gothic  style  of  architecture,  is  considered  the  largest  parochial 


204 


Boston,  June  2,  1851. 

Sir: — You  will  receive,  enclosed  herewith,  a  copy  of  a  letter, 
addressed  to  me  by  Meaburn  Staniland,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  Boston,  Old 
England,  dated  January  13th,  but  only  very  recently  received.  The 
somewhat  long  interval,  between  its  date  and  receipt,  may  be  accounted 
for,  by  the  fact  that  it  accompanied  the  present,  to  which  it  refers. 

In  complying  with  the  request  of  Mr.  Staniland,  it  may  not  be  out 
of  place  to  offer  a  few  words,  explanatory  of  the  circumstances,  to 
which  I  am  indebted  for  this  pleasure.  In  the  Spring  of  1849,  I 
went  up  to  Boston  from  London,  to  gratify  a  curiosity,  which  had  ever 
been  strong,  to  see  this  old  city,  and  compare  it  with  its  younger 
namesake  on  this  side  of  the  water.  I  had  no  letters  of  introduction, 
nor  any  other  passport  to  such  civilities  as  I  received,  and  for  which 
I  have  ever  since  been  most  grateful — than  my  place  of  residence  and 
the  object  of  my  visit!  Upon  ascertaining  these,  Mr.  Staniland  at 
once  extended  the  hand  of  friendship,  offering  me  every  possible 
facility  to  promote  my  wishes,  and  personally  accompanying  me  to  all 
places  and  objects  of  interest  to  a  stranger  there.  He  presented  me 
to  the  Magistrates  of  the  Court,  over  which  he  presides.  When  pres¬ 
ent  he  is  addressed  in  Court,  as  “Your  Worship.”  The  insignia 
attached  to  the  office  of  Mayor  are  two  maces  and  an  oar  of  silver 
gilt,  which  are  borne  before  him  by  two  Sergeants-at-Mace  and  the 
Marshal  of  the  Admiralty. 

I  had  the  honor  of  meeting  at  the  hospitable  table  of  the  Mayor, 
three  Ex-Mayors  of  Boston  and  other  gentlemen  of  the  different  pro¬ 
fessions,  and  it  was  peculiarly  gratifying  to  a  stranger,  to  hear  so 
much  interest  expressed  in  relation  to  every  thing  connected  with 
Boston,  his  home ;  and  to  realize  that  so  much  was  known  there  of 
her  benevolent  Institutions ;  her  Schools  ;  the  enterprising  spirit  of 
her  citizens,  in  the  construction  of  railroads,  and  in  the  building  up 
of  manufacturing  establishments  ;  her  extensive  and  extending  com¬ 
merce  ;  and  her  rapidly  increasing  numbers,  wealth  and  importance. 
These  matters  were  freely  discussed,  and  let  me  add,  all  alluded  to 
them  with  great  satisfaction,  and  confessed  their  pride  in  her  growing 
greatness,  and  the  enviable  reputation  she  was  securing  for  her  hon¬ 
ored  name. 

The  Mayor  proposed  as  a  sentiment — “  The  prosperity  of  Boston, 


church  in  England, — its  length  being  245  feet  in  the  clear,  by  98  feet  in  width. 
The  tower  (of  stone)  is  300  feet  high,  and  on  its  top  is,  or  was,  an  octagon  lan¬ 
tern,  intended  to  serve  as  a  guide  to  mariners  entering  the  channels  of  the  Deeps, 
(so  called.)  It  is  said  that  the  light  could  be  seen  at  a  distance  of  40  miles,  by 
land  or  water.  There  was  a  legend  among  our  Pilgrim  Fathers,  that  the  lamp 
ceased  to  burn,  when  Cotton  left  the  place  to  become  a  shining  light  in  the  wilder¬ 
ness  of  New  England.  Cotton  was  vicar  of  this  church  21  years.  The  imme¬ 
diate  cause  of  his  emigration  was  the  issue  of  a  warrant  to  bring  him  before  the 
infamous  “  High  Commission  Court,”  to  answer  concerning  his  supposed  heretical 
opinions.  He  concealed  himself  from  the  search,  while  his  patron,  the  Earl  of 
Dorset,  interceded  for  him  with  the  prelates.  The  intercession  was  ineffectual, 
and  his  Lordship  wrote  to  Mr.  Cotton,  that,  “if  he  had  been  guilty  of  drunken¬ 
ness,  uncleanness,  or  any  such  faults,  he  could  have  obtained  his  pardon  ;  bur  as 
he  was  guilty  of  puritanism  and  non-conformity,  the  crime  was  unpardonable, 
and  therefore  he  advised  him  to  flee  for  his  safety”;  which  he  accordingly  did. 


205 


New  England:”  expressing  all  kind  wishes  for  her  future  greatness, 
&c. ;  and  his  sentiment  and  remarks  were  received  with  a  warmth 
of  feeling,  which  made  me,  for  a  time,  forget  that  there  were  two 
Bostons. 

I  acknowledged  the  compliment,  and  my  own  gratitude  as  well,  for 
such  attentions  as  I  had  most  unexpectedly  received  there ;  and  I 
doubtless  took  no  unauthorized  liberty,  in  the  assurance  that  such 
kind  and  friendly  sentiments  as  had  been  expressed  by  all  composing 
the  dinner  party,  would  be  fully  responded  to  by  those  not  only,  who 
held  in  keeping  the  honor  and  interests  of  the  City  of  my  residence, 
but  also  by  the  citizens  generally. 

At  this  dinner  party,  a  suggestion  was  made  in  regard  to  the  pro¬ 
priety  of  some  little  token  from  the  Mother  to  the  Daughter,  to  be 
placed  in  my  charge  for  presentation,  and  it  was  arranged,  before  I 
left  Boston,  that  the  same  should  be  sent  forward  to  Liverpool  to 
await  my  arrival  there,  on  my  return.  At  the  time  I  sailed,  however, 
it  had  not  reached  Liverpool,  but  the  inscription  on  the  frame  is  of 
that  date. 

It  was  a  singular  coincidence  in  the  history  of  both  cities,  that  an 
effort  had  been  made,  almost  simultaneously,  for  a  better  supply  of 
water  for  both,  and  at  the  time  of  my  visit,  the  Mayor  placed  in  my 
hands  an  Act  of  Parliament  for,  and  other  Documents  relating  to,  the 
introduction  of  water  into  Boston,  to  be  presented  with  the  Seals. 
These  Documents  I  have  meantime  kept,  in  the  expectation  that  the 
token,  alluded  to,  would  in  due  time  be  forthcoming,  and,  as  it  has  now 
been  received,  I  avail  myself  of  the  earliest  opportunity  to  present  the 
same,  with  the  Documents  alluded  to. 

The  Church,  of  which  Mr.  Staniland  speaks,  is  without  a  rival,  as  a 
Parish  Church,  in  England,  and  was  erected  about  the  middle  of  the 
fourteenth  century,  of  the  ornamental  or  middle  Gothic  style  of  archi¬ 
tecture,  having  a  tower  three  hundred  feet  in  height.  The  Church 
has  the  grandeur  and  imposing  effect,  almost,  of  a  cathedral. 

Allow  me  to  add,  in  conclusion,  that,  influenced  by  the  peculiar  and 
obvious  delicacy  of  alluding  to  my  personal  experiences  there,  I  should 
have  remained  silent,  had  I  alone  been  interested,  but,  under  the  cir¬ 
cumstances,  in  which  this  communication  is  written,  I  have  thought  it 
my  duty  to  overrule  any  such  scruples  on  my  part,  and  to  do  justice 
to  others,  and  to  the  interest  and  kind  sentiments,  which  they  so  gen¬ 
erally  and  generously  expressed  in  behalf  of  Boston,  the  younger. 
And  I  have  alluded  to  personal  attentions  there,  as  evincing  an  interest 
in  a  stranger — simply  on  account  of  his  place  of  residence. 

I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  ob’t  serv’t, 

John  L.  Clarke. 

Hon.  John  P.  Bigelow,  Mayor,  &c.  &c.,  Boston. 


206 


Boston,  Jan.  13,  1851. 

My  Bear  Sir  : — You  will,  I  dare  say,  have  frequently  thought  I 
had  quite  forgotten  my  promise  of  sending  you,  for  the  Mayor  of  Bos¬ 
ton,  U.  S.,  the  impressions  of  our  Corporate  Seals.  I  had  not,  how¬ 
ever,  done  so,  but  a  variety  of  circumstances  have  delayed  its  fulfil¬ 
ment,  which  I  now  (though  tardily)  perform. 

The  Seals  are  in  duplicate,  one  being  the  Corporate  Seal,  another 
the  Admiralty  Seal,  (the  Corporation,  at  one  time,  having  had  Admi¬ 
ralty  jurisdiction  along  the  Coast,)  and  the  other  is  the  Official  Seal 
of  the  Mayor.  All  these  Seals  are  of  the  period  of  Henry  the  8th, 
when  the  Borough  was  incorporated. 

I  have  had  the  Seals  placed  on  parchment  in  an  oak  frame,  to 
which,  I  am  quite  sure,  considerable  interest  will  attach  from  the  cir¬ 
cumstance  of  its  having  been  made  out  of  one  of  the  original  beams  of 
our  beautiful  Church,  under  the  roof  of  which,  for  several  years, 
preached  as  Vicar  that  Cotton,  in  honor  of  whose  character  and  exile 
your  fair  City  received  its  name. 

This  small  token  of  respect,  from  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  “  Old  * 
“  Boston,”  for  his  official  brother  in  “  New  ”  “  Boston,”  though 
intrinsically  valueless,  will  nevertheless,  I  am  sure,  awaken  associa¬ 
tions  and  feelings,  which  I  trust,  may  ever  prevail  between  our 
respective  countrymen,  and  if,  in  the  Council  Chamber  of  the  City  of 
Boston,  this  little  offering  finds  a  place,  it  will  be  to  me  a  source  of 
great  gratification. 

Do  me  then  the  favor  to  present  the  same  to  your  Mayor,  with  an 
assurance  that  should  he  ever  come  to  the  Old  World  and  honor  me 
with  a  visit,  it  will  afford  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  receive  him. 
And  believe  me  to  be, 

My  dear  Sir, 

Yours  faithfully, 

M.  Staniland. 

John  L.  Clarke,  Esq.,  Boston. 

Note.  Documents  referred  to  in  the  correspondence. 

An  Act  of  Parliament  for  the  Boston  Water  Works. 

A  Plan  and  Section  of  the  Boston  Water  Works. 

Engineer’s  Report  on  the  Boston  Water  Works. 

Directors’  Report  on  the  Boston  Water  Works. 

Blank  Certificates  of  Stock  of  the  Boston  Water  Works. 


207 


CORRESPONDENCE  RESPECTING  THE  JUBILEE. 

The  letters  below  are  but  a  small  portion  of  those  received  by  the 
Committee  of  Invitation.  These  however  have  been  selected  as  ex¬ 
pressing  the  sentiments  of  distinguished  official  personages,  both  of 
our  own  country  and  the  Canadas,  in  relation  to  the  Railway  Cele¬ 
bration. 

[From  the  Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  Secretary  of  State.] 

Boston,  Sept.  9,  1851. 

Gentlemen  : — I  acknowledge  with  all  due  respect  the  honor  con¬ 
ferred  on  me,  and  communicated  through  you  by  the  City  Council  of 
Boston,  in  inviting  me  to  attend  the  proposed  Railroad  Jubilee  on  the 
17th,  18th  and  19th  of  this  month. 

I  regard  the  occasion,  Gentlemen,  as  one  of  high  and  peculiar 
interest,  likely  to  be  honored  by  the  presence  of  many  distinguished 
persons  belonging  to  this  and- other  States,  and  also  to  the  adjacent 
British  Provinces ;  and  I  assure  you,  Gentlemen,  that  it  is  with  ex¬ 
treme  regret  that  I  feel  obliged  to  say,  that  it  is  not  in  my  power  to 
accept  the  invitation  of  the  City  Government. 

I  am,  Gentlemen,  with  sincere  personal  regard,  your  obedient 
servant, 

Daniel  Webster. 

To  Messrs.  Francis  Brinley,  H.  M.  Holbrook,  Ezra  Lincoln,  Albert 
T.  Minot,  N.  A.  Thompson,  Henry  J.  Gardner,  Otis  Kimball,  Com¬ 
mittee. 


[From  the  Governor  of  New  York.] 

Albany,  Sept.  8tli,  1851. 

Gentlemen  : — I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter,  re¬ 
questing  me  to  unite  with  the  Municipal  Authorities  of  your  City,  in 
celebrating  “  the  completion  of  the  various  lines  of  Railway  which 
connect  Canada  and  the  Great  West  with  the  tide  waters  at  Boston.” 
I  regret  sincerely  that  my  engagements  are  of  such  a  nature  as  to 
preclude  an  acceptance  of  your  invitation.  You  must  permit  me, 
however,  to  congratulate  you  upon  the  success  which  has  crowned 
your  efforts,  and  to  express  my  admiration  of  the  wisdom  and  energy 
displayed  by  your  citizens  in  the  completion  of  a  system  of  improve¬ 
ments,  alike  honorable  to  the  fame  of  your  city  and  conducive  to  its 
growth  and  prosperity. 

We,  the  people  of  New  York,  claim  to  have  some  interest  in  the 
trade  of  the  Great  West,  for  which  you  are  reaching.  Yet  we  have 
desired  to  act  the  part  of  friendly  and  generous  neighbors  towards 
you.  We  have  seen  you  invading  our  soil,  filling  our  valleys,  boring 
our  mountains  at  some  points,  levelling  them  at  others,  and  turning 
your  steam  engines  loose  upon  us  to  run  up  and  down,  roaming  at 


/ 


208 


large  throughout  our  borders.  Indeed,  it  has  long  been  evident  that 
you  intended  to  ride  over  us  in  your  efforts  to  entice  away  our  wes¬ 
tern  brethren.  But  no  voice  of  complaint  or  of  resistance  has  been 
heard.  We  are  a  patient  and  accommodating  people.  Instead  of 
employing  our  sovereignty  to  arrest  your  aggressions  and  repel  your 
bold  incursions,  our  Legislature  has  contributed  largely  to  the  success 
of  your  designs.  I  am  somewhat  curious  to  know  at  what  point  your 
next  encroachments  will  begin.  There  are  limits  to  human  endur¬ 
ance,  and  I  must  warn  you  to  pause  and  take  breath  before  making 
fresh  tracks  upon  our  territory. 

We  have  never  desired  to  monopolize  the  Western  trade.  After 
yielding  to  you  a  share  sufficient  to  satisfy  any  but  an  inordinate  and 
grasping  ambition,  enough  will  remain  for  us.  A  fair  survey  of  the 
vast  and  fertile  region  beyond  the  Lakes,  and  a  just  estimate  of  its 
resources,  its  rapid  increase  in  population  and  production,  and  its  won¬ 
derful  progress  in  opening  new  communications,  ought  to  extinguish 
all  narrow,  local  jealousies  among  the  States  and  cities  of  the  sea¬ 
board.  The  exigencies  of  such  a  country  demand  a  liberal  and 
enlightened  policy.  Let  us  have  ample  room  and  free  scope  for  all. 
A  manly  and  generous  competition  is  beneficial  to  every  interest. 
The  vast  and  swelling  commerce  of  the  Western  Lakes  will  furnish 
full  and  profitable  employment  for  all  the  artificial  lines  of  communi¬ 
cation  that  have  been  opened.  We  are  willing  you  should  share  with 
us  in  advantages  proceeding  from  a  source  so  inexhaustible.  In  my 
contemplations  of  the  subject,  I  always  feel  that  New  York  can  afford 
to  be  not  only  just  but  magnanimous. 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obed’t  servant, 

Washington  Hunt. 

Hon.  John  P.  Bigelow,  Francis  Brinley,  and  others,  Committee . 


[From  the  Governor  of  Vermont  ] 

Rutland,  Sept.  15,  1851. 

Gentlemen  : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
invitation  to  attend,  on  the  17th  inst.,  the  commemorative  festivities 
on  the  completion  of  the  various  lines  of  railway  which  connect 
Canada  and  the  Great  West  with  the  tide-waters  at  Boston,  and  have 
to  regret  that  my  other  duties  forbid  my  acceding  to  your  polite 
request. 

Attached  by  the  ties  of  birth  to  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  every¬ 
thing  which  promotes  her  prosperity  has  a  deep  hold  upon  my  affec¬ 
tions.  Calling  to  mind  that  when,  in  early  childhood,  I  removed  from 
your  vicinity,  it  required  eight  days  to  accomplish  the  journey  which 
is  now  performed  in  a  less  number  of  hours,  I  here  witness  an  emi¬ 
nent  example  and  evidence  of  the  industry,  the  perseverance,  and  the 
wealth  of  my  native  State,  and  of  the  city  of  Boston  in  particular. 
The  benefit  of  this  industry,  enterprise,  and  wealth,  is  not  confined  to 
the  city  and  State  alone,  but  is  equally  shared  by  the  community 


209 


with  whom  she  has  any  private,  public,  or  commercial  relations — among 
whom  the  State  in  which  I  reside  participates  largely  and  extensively. 

With  the  most  ardent  aspirations  that  your  prosperity  may  still  be 
continued,  and  your  enterprise  be  rewarded  by  still  greater  success,  I 
have  the  honor  to  be, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Ch.  Iv.  Williams. 

To  the  Mayor  and  Municipal  Authorities  of  the  City  of  Boston. 


[From  the  Governor  of  Maine.] 

Hallowell,  Me.,  Sept.  15,  1851. 

Gentlemen  : — Yours  of  the  3rd,  extending  to  me  an  invitation  to 
attend  the  railroad  celebration,  to  be  held  at  Boston  on  the  17th, 
reached  here  when  I  was  absent  for  a  fortnight. 

I  regret  that  an  executive  session,  to  be  held  at  the  time,  will  forbid 
my  being  present  with  you  on  that  occasion. 

Nothing  could  afford  me  greater  pleasure  than  to  join  in  the  festivi¬ 
ties  which  are  to  commemorate  the  glorious  results  of  Boston  enter¬ 
prise  and  energy,  and  to  mark  an  era  in  the  progress  of  a  sister  Com¬ 
monwealth  to  wealth  and  power. 

I  am,  with  high  consideration, 

Yours, 

John  Hubbard. 

Messrs.  John  P.  Bigelow,  Mayor. 

Francis  Brinley,  President  of  the  Common  Council. 

Henry  M.  Holbrook,  and  others,  of  the  Aldermen  and  Common 
Council,  City  of  Boston. 


[From  the  Governor  of  Connecticut.] 

Hartford,  Conn.,  Sept.  16,  1851. 
IIon.  J.  P.  Bigelow,  Mayor  of  Boston. 

Sir  : — I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  invitation  to  the  pro¬ 
posed  Pailway  celebration,  which  is  to  take  place  in  the  City  of  Bos¬ 
ton  on  the  17th  inst.  The  occasion  will  be  one  of  great  interest  to 
all  concerned,  and  highly  honorable  to  the  citizens  of  Boston,  whose 
enterprise  has  contributed  so  largely  to  produce  the  mighty  results 
which  it  is  proposed  to  commemorate  in  an  appropriate  manner. 

I  regret  that  it  will  not  be  in  my  power  to  participate  with  you  in 
the  festivities  of  the  occasion ;  and  more  so  from  the  fact  that  it  will 
mark  an  important  event,  not  only  in  the  history  of  your  city  and 
State,  but  of  New  England  also.  Be  pleased  to  accept,  Sir,  in  be¬ 
half  of  the  Municipal  Authorities  of  Boston,  my  warmest  acknowl¬ 
edgments  for  the  honor  of  the  invitation,  and  believe  me  to  be,  very 
respectfully,  Your  obedient  servant, 

Thos.  H.  Seymour. 


27 


210 


[From  Sir  E.  W.  Head,  Governor  of  New  Brunswick.] 

Government  House, 
Fkederickton,  N.  B.,  Sept.  5,  1851. 

His  Excellency,  Sir  Edmund  Head,  desires  to  express  to  the 
municipal  authorities  of  the  city  of  Boston,  his  sense  of  the  honor 
which  they  have  done  him  by  their  invitation  for  the  17th  inst. 

Sir  Edmund  Head  deeply  regrets  that  urgent  public  business  will 
prevent  his  acceptance  of  their  invitation. 

To  Daniel  N.  Haskell,  Esq.,  Secretary. 


[From  Hon.  B.  S.  Baldwin,  Senator  in  Congress,  from  Connecticut.] 

New  Haven,  Sept.  15,  1851. 

Gentlemen  : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  reception  of 
your  obliging  invitation,  in  behalf  of  the  municipal  authorities  of  the 
city  of  Boston,  to  be  present  at  the  proposed  celebration  of  the  com¬ 
pletion  of  the  various  lines  of  railway  which  connect  the  Canadas  and 
the  Great  West  with  the  tide  water  at  Boston,  and  the  establishment 
of  American  lines  of  steamers  between  your  city  and  Liverpool. 

I  regret  exceedingly  that  my  engagements  are  such  as  will  not 
allow  me  to  avail  myself  of  your  kindness,  and  that  I  am  compelled  to 
forego  the  gratification  I  should  otherwise  enjoy,  of  uniting  in  the  fes¬ 
tivities  commemorative  of  the  accomplishment  of  enterprises  so  inter¬ 
esting  and  important  to  your  City  and  State,  and  which  cannot  fail  to 
prove  most  auspicious  in  their  influence  on  the  common  welfare  and 
prosperity  of  the  widely-extended  regions  they  so  advantageously 
connect. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect,  your  obliged 
and  obedient  servant, 

Roger  S.  Baldwin. 

To  Hon.  John  P.  Bigelow,  Mayor. 

Francis  Brinley,  Esq.,  President  of  C.  C.,  &c.,  Committee  of  the 
Municipal  Authorities  of  the  City  of  Boston, 


[From  lion.  C.  Sawtclle,  Rep.  in  Congress,  from  Maine.] 

Norridgewock,  Me.,  Sept.  11,  1851. 

Sir  : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of 
9tli  ult.,  inviting  me,  in  behalf  of  the  Municipal  Authorities  of  the 
City  of  Boston,  to  attend  the  proposed  celebration  on  Wednesday,  the 
17th  inst.,  commemorative  of  the  final  completion  of  the  great  lines  of 
Railroads,  which  connect  the  Canadas  and  the  Great  West  with  the 
tide  water  at  Boston,  and  the  establishment  of  American  lines  of 
steamers  between  that  city  and  Liverpool. 

.1  regret,  extremely,  that  circumstances  do  not  permit  me  to  avail 
myself  of  the  gratifying  invitation  to  visit  your  city,  and  the  obliging 
tender  of  hospitality  that  accompanied  it. 


211 


The  age  in  which  we  live  is  emphatically  one  of  enterprise  and 
progress  ;  and  he  who  does  not  rejoice  in  the  consummation  of  these 
great  works  of  improvement,  is  unworthy  to  enjoy  the  incalculable 
benefits  resulting  therefrom. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  great  respect, 

Tour  obedient  servant, 

Cullen  Sawtelle. 

Hon.  John  P.  Bigelow,  Mayor  of  Boston. 


[From  the  Hon.  the  Speaker  of  the  Legislative  Assembly,  Canada.] 

Montreal,  Sept.  10,  1851. 

Sir  : — It  would  have  been  a  great  pleasure  for  me  to  be  able  to  par¬ 
take  in  the  proffered  hospitalities  of  the  City  of  Boston  on  the  17th 
instant,  and  following  days.  The  fatigues  of  the  late  protracted  ses¬ 
sion  of  our  Legislature,  and  some  unavoidable  business  consequent 
thereto,  now  put  it  out  of  my  power  to  be  present.  In  expressing  to 
you  my  regret,  and  my  high  appreciation  of  the  invitation  with  which 
I  have  been  honored,  I  beg  to  subscribe  myself,  Sir, 

With  great  respect, 

Your  obedient  humble  servant, 

A.  N.  Morin, 

Daniel  N.  Haskell,  Esq.,  Secretary,  &c.,  &c. 


[From  the  Hon.  P.  B.  De  Blaquiere,  Member  of  the  Legislative  Council,  and 
Chancellor  of  the  University  of  Toronto.] 

Woodlands,  Woodstock, 
Upper  Canada,  Aug.  29,  1851. 

Sir  : — I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  conveying  an 
invitation  from  His  Worship  the  Mayor,  and  citizens  of  Boston,  to  a 
dinner  in  celebration  of  the  opening  of  a  railway  communication 
between  that  city  and  the  British  North  American  Provinces  and 
Canada,  and  I  deeply  regret  that  bodily  infirmity  alone  prevents  my 
availing  myself  of  the  honor  of  being  present,  on  an  occasion  so  emi¬ 
nently  gratifying  to  every  one  who  desires  the  advancement  of  the 
great  interests  which  are  so  well  calculated  to  promote  the  prosperity 
of  the  United  States  and  of  Great  Britain,  in  harmonious  co-operation. 

Be  assured,  Sir,  that  although  I  cannot  in  person  attend,  as  I  wish 
to  do,  there  is  not  an  individual  amongst  those  who  will  enjoy  this 
honor,  more  sincere  in  their  expressions  of  cordial  approbation  of  the 
auspicious  event  which  has  called  forth  the  hospitable  invitation  of  the 
Mayor  and  citizens  of  Boston. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 

Your  very  obedient  servant, 

P.  B.  De  Blaquiere. 


Daniel  N.  Haskell,  Sec’y,  &c. 


212 


[From  the  Hon.  John  Bazalgette,  Lieut.  Colonel  and  Administrator  of  the  Gov¬ 
ernment  of  Nova  Scotia.] 

Government  House, 
Halifax,  N.  S.,  Sept.  9,  1851. 

Dear  Sir  : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
kind  letter,  conveying  to  me  the  invitation  of  the  Municipal  Authori¬ 
ties  of  Boston,  to  partake  of  the  proposed  commemorative  festivities 
to  take  place  in  that  city  on  Wednesday,  the  17th  instant,  and  have, 
in  reply,  to  express  my  sincere  and  deep  regret  that  circumstances 
imperatively  prevent  my  availing  myself  of  their  kindness,  and  the 
participation  in  celebrating  so  important  an  undertaking. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

John  Bazalgette. 

To  Daniel  N.  Haskell,  Esq. 


[From  the  Hon.  Wm.  H.  Draper,  Judge  of  Court  of  Queen’s  Bench.] 

Toronto,  Upper  Canada,  Sept.  8,  1851. 

Sir: — I  am  honored  by  your  letter,  received  on  Saturday  last, 
inviting  me  to  join  in  the  proposed  commemorative  festivities  in  Bos¬ 
ton,  on  Wednesday,  the  17th  of  this  month. 

My  judicial  duties  make  my  presence  necessary  at  Goderich,  on 
Lake  Huron,  on  the  23rd  of  September,  and  render  it  therefore  impos¬ 
sible  for  me  to  avail  myself  of  your  polite  invitation.  I  must  there¬ 
fore  content  myself  with  this  mode  of  expressing  my  sincere  congratu¬ 
lations  on  the  event  which  has  called  forth  these  festivities,  and  my 
very  warm  hopes  that  the  fullest  measure  of  success  may  follow  the 
completion  of  so  magnificent  an  undertaking  as  the  connection  of  the 
tide  water  at  Boston  with  the  Canadas  and  the  boundless  West,  fcy 
the  means  of  railways  now  opened. 

I  have  the  honor  to  subscribe  myself,  Sir, 

Your  very  obedient  servant, 

Wm.  H.  Draper. 

Daniel  N.  Haskell,  Esq.,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 


[From  the  Hon.  R.  E.  Burns,  Judge  of  Court  of  Queen’s  Bench,  C.  W.] 

Toronto,  Sept.  9,  1851. 

Sir  : — I  have  duly  received  the  kind  invitation  of  the  Municipal 
Authorities  of  the  City  of  Boston,  to  be  present  at  the  festivities  pro¬ 
posed  to  take  place  on  the  17th  inst.,  but  owing  to  indispensable  judi¬ 
cial  duties,  to  be  performed  here  on  the  same  (lay,  cannot  avail  myself 
of  the  honor  intended. 

I  have  taken  a  lively  interest  in  the  promotion  of  communication  by 
railways,  and  am  fully  sensible  of  the  great  advantages  which  the 
completion  of  your  roads,  connecting  our  great  waters  with  the  sea- 


213 


board,  through  your  portion  of  this  continent,  will  be,  not  only  to  you, 
but  also  to  the  Canadas. 

My  best  wishes  are,  that  the  bright  anticipations  which  your  city 
holds  out  for  the  future  trade,  increasing  through  all  this  country,  may 
be  as  truly  realized,  as  I  am  sure  your  hospitalities  will  be,  on  the 
17tli  inst. 

With  the  greatest  respect  to  the  Mayor,  and  the  other  members  of 
the  Committee,  I  subscribe  myself 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Robert  E.  Burns. 

X>.  N.  Haskell,  Esq.,  Secretary,  &c.,  &c. 


[From  the  Governor  of  the  Hudson’s  Bay  Company.] 

Sir  George  Simpson  presents  his  compliments  to  His  Honor  the 
Mayor  and  the  Corporation  of  Boston,  and  regrets  to  state  that  severe 
indisposition  in  his  family  will  prevent  his  having  the  honor  of  being 
present  at  the  Railroad  Festival,  to  be  held  in  Boston  on  the  17th, 
18th  and  19th  instant,  agreeably  to  their  kind  invitation. 

Hudson  Bay  House, 

Lachine,  Canada  East,  Sept.  15,  1851. 


Halifax,  N.  S.,  Sept.  13,  1851. 

My  Dear  Sir  : — I  beg  you  will  convey  to  His  Honor  the  Mayor, 
and  the  City  Authorities  of  Boston,  my  most  grateful  thanks  for  their 
polite  invitation  to  the  railroad  celebration  of  the  17th  inst.,  as  well  as 
the  assurance  of  my  deep  regret  that  private  arrangements  will  pre¬ 
vent  my  attendance  on  that  occasion.  Permit  me  also  to  add,  that 
though  unavoidably  absent,  my  feelings  and  best  wishes  will  be  with 
you — for  I  fully  anticipate  that  your  celebration  will  be  of  a  character 
corresponding  to  the  high  reputation  so  fairly  earned  by  the  public 
spirit  and  enterprise  of  the  citizens  of  Boston. 

As  you  will  have  many  of  my  fellow-countrymen  present  with  you 
on  this  occasion,  I  trust  they  will  be  so  far  animated  and  inspired  by 
the  noble  example  you  have  set  before  them,  and  the  substantial 
proofs  that  will  be  exhibited  of  the  universal  benefit  of  such  enter¬ 
prises,  as  to  decide  them,  on  their  return,  to  cast  all  doubts  and  hesi- 
tsftion  to  the  winds,  and  apply  their  utmost  energies  towards  the 
accomplishment  of  those  magnificent  projects  which  now  occupy  the 
public  mind,  both  British  and  Colonial — having  for  their  object  the 
uniting  of  these  Provinces  by  the  same  iron  band ,  and  elevating  them 
to  a  higher  position  of  national  rank  and  influence. 

I  must  visit  Canada  next  month,  and  shall  avail  myself,  in  passing 
through  Boston,  of  the  pleasure  of  paying  my  personal  respects  both 
to  yourself  and  His  Honor  the  Mayor,  with  whom  I  have  the  pleasure 
of  being  acquainted. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  much  respect,  yours  very  truly, 

John  E.  Fairbanks. 


214 


[From  the  Hon.  P.  B.  de  Boucherville,  M.  L.  C.] 

Boucherville,  L.  C.,  Aug.  22,  1851. 

Sir  :  I  regret  that  old  age  and  infirmities  will  prevent  my  having 
the  honor  to  attend  to  the  great  commemorative  festivities  in  Boston, 
on  the  17th  day  of  September  next. 

If  the  United  States  are  yet  susceptible  of  aggrandisement,  Boston, 
as  heretofore,  will  stand  in  the  advance ;  and,  I  ask,  who  is  the  man, 
within  the  New  England  States,  who  will  not  be  proud  to  be  a  Bos¬ 
tonian. 

I  hope  that  the  great  facility  of  communication  between  Canada 
and  the  United  States,  will  forever  cement  that  good  understanding 
which  should  exist  between  neighbors,  and  prepare  us,  Canadians,  for 
future  events. 

Wishing  all  sorts  of  prosperity  to  the  Bostonians  and  their  Municipal 
Authorities, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 

Your  very  obedient  servant, 

Pierre  Boucher  de  Boucherville. 

Daniel  N.  Haskell,  Esq.,  Boston. 


[From  the  Hon.  Leslie  Combs  of  Kentucky.] 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  20,  1851. 

My  Dear  Sir  : — Hurried,  as  I  was,  from  scene  to  scene  of  your 
magnificent  three  days ’  festival,  I  had  no  time  to  express  my  personal 
thanks  to  you  for  your  kindness  and  attention,  and  therefore  seize  the 
opportunity  afforded  by  this  first  resting  place  on  my  way  home,  to 
address  you  a  note  of  grateful  acknowledgment. 

In  your  address  to  the  guests  assembled  at  the  great  feast  yesterday 
afternoon,  you  specially  greeted  the  residents  upon  the  Ottawa,  the 
Chaudiere  and  the  St.  John’s — upon  the  Hudson,  the  Connecticut  and 
the  Potomac,  as  well  as  those  hailing  from  the  shores  of  the  Great 
Lakes. 

Had  an  occasion  offered,  an  humble  private  citizen  of  the  West — a 
native  son  of  old  Kentucky,  would  have  told  you,  that  the  inhabitants 
of  that  mighty  valley  watered  by  the  great  Father  of  Rivers,  whose 
hundred  heads  are  in  those  same  vast  inland  seas  to  which  you  so  ap¬ 
propriately  alluded — whose  Briarean  arms  grasp  the  Alleghanies  in 
the  East,  while  they  reach  out  to  the  far  distant,  cloud-capped  Rocky 
Mountains  in  the  West — whose  rolling  waters  throw  themselves  across 
the  continent  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico — rejoiced  as  heartily  as  did 
any  persons  present,  in  the  enterprise,  energy  and  success  of  the  good 
city  of  Boston  and  the  “  Old  Bay  State,”  in  commencing  and  com¬ 
pleting  their  magnificent  and  costly  system  of  Railroads. 

He  would,  at  the  same  time,  in  justice  to  Kentucky,  have  mod¬ 
estly  suggested,  that  when,  as  well  as  he  remembered,  there  was  not  a 
mile  of  Railroad  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  and  but  one  great  work 
of  the  kind  in  England,  and  one  ill-constructed  one,  some  four  or  five 


215 


miles  long,  in  all  New  England,  that  distant,  young,  interior  State  had 
chartered  and  commenced  a  Railroad  from  her  agricultural  centre  to 
her  capital,  in  the  direction  to  her  principal  seaport ;  and  that  while 
Boston  in  Massachusetts  and  Montreal  in  Canada  had  become  united 
by  this  magnificent  mode  of  internal  improvement,  Kentucky  and  her 
sister  States,  West  and  South,  were  constructing  a  great  trunk  with 
many  branches,  to  connect  indissolubly  the  Southern  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  of  Mexico  with  the  Northern  Lakes ,  and  at  the  same  time  were 
making  others,  hundreds  of  miles  long,  to  unite  the  fertile,  grain¬ 
growing  and  stock-raising  States,  as  well  as  the  “  broad,  untouched 
prairies  and  boundless  forests,”  referred  to  so  aptly  by  the  eloquent 
Governor  General  of  Canada,  with  the  manufacturing  and  commercial 
States  of  the  East ;  so  that,  hereafter,  the  iron  bands  of  commerce  and 
social  intercourse  might  bind  together  more  firmly  those  sections  far 
distant  from  each  other — heretofore  only  united  by  the  chain  of  polit¬ 
ical  sympathy. 

These  mighty  works  being  finished,  as  well  might  we  expect  the 
solid  foundations  of  the  earth  to  be  upturned,  or  its  adamantine  crust 
burst  asunder,  by  the  petty  rumblings  of  Hecla  or  Vesuvius,  as  that 
our  glorious  Union  would  be  rent  in  twain  by  any  sectional  excite¬ 
ment. 

But,  Sir,  I  pray  you  to  pardon  me  for  extending  this  note  much 
more  than  I  intended,  and  I  will  close  it  with  the  assurance  that  it 
will,  at  all  times,  give  me  great  pleasure  to  reciprocate,  in  my  poof 
way,  the  courtesies  received  at  your  hands. 

Very  truly,  your  most  ob’t  serv’t, 

Leslie  Combs. 

To  His  Honor, 

Mr.  Bigelow,  Mayor  of  Boston* 


I 


216 


MEETING  OF  CANADIANS. 

[referred  to  on  page  192.] 

At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Canada,  who  have  availed  them¬ 
selves  of  the  invitation  of  the  Civic  Authorities  of  Boston  to  attend 
the  Railroad  Festival,  which  took  place  on  the  17th,  18th,  and  19th 
instant,  held  at  the  Revere  House  last  evening,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Justice 
Ay  1  win  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  John  Rose,  Esq.,  requested  to 
act  as  Secretary. 

It  was  then  moved  by  the  Hon.  W.  B.  Robinson,  M.  P.  P.,  of  To¬ 
ronto,  and  seconded  by  the  Hon.  John  Molson,  of  Montreal,  and 
resolved  unanimously,  that  a  Committee  be  named  to  draft  an  address 
expressive  of  our  gratitude,  and  the  high  estimation  entertained  by 
this  meeting,  and  the  inhabitants  of  Canada,  of  the  kind  and  generous 
hospitalities  extended  to  them  by  the  Municipal  Authorities  and  citi¬ 
zens  of  Boston ;  and  that  the  following  gentlemen  be  named  a  Com¬ 
mittee  forthwith  to  prepare  such  address : — 

The  Hon.  Mr.  Justice  Aylwin,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Justice  Day,  and 
the  Hon.  Mr.  Justice  Mondelet,  of  Montreal;  Sir  Allan  N.  McNab, 

M.  P.  P. ;  T.  Kirkpatrick,  Esq.,  of  Kingston ;  the  Hon.  Samuel 
Crane,  and  A.  Jones,  Esq.,  of  Prescott ;  Capt.  Wainwright,  of  Caril¬ 
lon  ;  John  Rose,  Esq.,  of  Montreal ;  N.  F.  Belleau,  Esq.,  of  Quebec ; 
P.  Leclerc,  Esq.,  of  St.  Hyacinthe ;  A  Leframboise,  Esq.,  of  Heca- 
luly;  Col.  Gugy,  M.  P.  P. ;  W.  A.  Chaffers,  Esq.,  of  St.  Cesaire ; 

N.  Dumas,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  and  Benj.  Holmes,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  of 
Montreal;  A.  Merrick,  Esq.,  of  Merrickville ;  Jos.  Aumond,  Esq., 
of  Bytown ;  John  Bruneau,  Esq.,  B.  Brewster,  Esq.,  and  Harrison 
Stephens,  Esq.,  of  Montreal ;  Hon.  J.  JE.  Irving,  of  Toronto ;  James 
Coleman,  Esq.,  of  Dundas ;  George  Rykert,  Esq.,  and  W.  Merritt, 
Esq.,  of  St.  Catherine’s ;  Captain  C.  Sweeney,  of  Montreal ;  James 
Little,  Esq.,  of  Caledonia ;  James  Ilodgert  Guelph,  Esq.,  and  the 
Hon.  P.  H.  Moore,  of  Stanstead  ;  George  Crawford,  Esq.,  of  Brock- 
ville ;  Mr.  Sheriff  Corbett,  of  Kingston ;  Mr.  Sheriff  Boston,  of 
Montreal ;  Mr.  Sheriff  Smith,  of  Barrie  ;  Mr.  Sheriff  Thomas,  of 
Hamilton ;  J.  B.  Ewart,  Esq.,  of  Dundas ;  F.  M.  Hill,  Esq.,  Mayor 
of  Kingston ;  J.  G.  Bowes,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  Toronto ;  F.  R.  Angers, 
Esq.,  of  Quebec;  James  M.  Ferris,  Esq.,  of  Montreal;  the  Hon. 
W.  II.  Boulton,  M.  P.  P.,  of  Toronto ;  Dunbar  Ross,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P., 
of  Quebec ;  John  Egan,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  of  Aylmer ;  D.  E.  Boulton, 
Esq.,  of  Cobourg;  Judge  Boswell,  of  Cobourg ;  Wm.  Weller,  Esq., 
Mayor  of  Cobourg ;  J.  C.  Morrison,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  of  Toronto ; 
James  Shaw,  Esq.,  of  Smiths’  Falls ;  Alexander  McLean,  Esq.,  M. 
P.  P.,  of  Cornwall ;  James  Cotton,  Esq.,  of  Toronto  ;  Henry  Smith, 
Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  of  Kingston  ;  Allan  McLean,  Esq.,  of  Kingston  ; 
II.  R.  Strowbridge,  Esq.,  of  Brantford  ;  Col.  Horn,  20th  Reg. ;  Capt. 
Radcliffe,  do. ;  Capt.  Marjory,  54th  Reg. ;  Capt.  Conner,  GGth  Reg. ; 
C.  S.  Monck,  Esq.,  of  Montreal ;  Capt.  the  Hon  H.  F.  Kean,  Royal 


217 


Engineers ;  Capt.  Newton,  Royal  Artillery ;  Dr.  Maitland,  Royal 
Canadian  Rifles  ;  Robert  Spence,  Esq.,  Warden  of  Wentworth  and 
Halton ;  S.  Morrill,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  London,  C.  W. ;  F,  C.  Lemeux, 
Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  Capt.  Alleyn,  R.  N.,  H.  J.  Noad,  Esq.,  and  Thomas 
C.  Lee,  Esq.,  of  Quebec;  Duncan  McFarland,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.  for 
the  County  of  Welland  ;  Augustus  Howard,  Esq.,  of  Montreal. 

It  was  then  moved  by  W.  K.  McCord,  Esq.,  of  Quebec,  seconded 
by  Captain  Wainwright,  of  Carillon,  that  this  meeting  do  adjourn, 
for  the  space  of  one  hour,  to  enable  the  Committee  to  prepare  the 
draft  of  an  address,  and  again  meet  at  the  same  place. 

The  meeting  having  re-assembled,  the  following  address*  was  re¬ 
ported  by  the  Hon.  W.  B.  Robinson,  on  the  part  of  the  Committee  ; 
and,  on  motion  of  Joseph  Alfred  O.  Turgeon,  Esq-,  seconded  by  John 
Yule,  Esq.,  of  Chambly,  was  unanimously  adopted. 

It  was  then  moved  by  Benjamin  Holmes,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  seconded 
by  William  II.  Boulton,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  that  the  address  now  adopted  be 
signed  by  the  Chairman  and  Secretary,  on  behalf  of  the  meeting ; 
and  that  the  same  be  presented  by  Sir  Allan  McNab,  the  Hon.  Mr. 
Justice  Aylwin,  B.  Holmes,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  the  Hon.  W.  B.  Robin¬ 
son,  the  Hon.  Mr,  Justice  Day,  Dunbar  Ross,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  Wil¬ 
liam  H.  Boulton,  Esq.,  M.  P.  P.,  and  such  other  inhabitants  of 
Canada  as  may  remain  in  this  City, — and  that  public  notice  of  the 
same  be  given. 

It  was  then  moved  by  the  Hon.  W.  B.  Robinson,  and  seconded  by 
George  Crawford,  Esq.,  of  Brockville,  that  the  Chairman  do  leave 
the  Chair,  and  that  W.  II.  Boulton,  Esq.  be  called  thereto  :  which 
being  carried,  it  was  moved  by  Benj.  Brewster,  Esq.,  and  seconded 
by  W.  B.  Robinson,  Esq.,  that  the  thanks  of  the  meeting  are  due  to 
the  Hon.  Mr.  Justice  Aylwin,  as  Chairman,  and  to  John  Rose,  Esq., 
as  Secretary,  for  their  able  and  efficient  conduct. 

*  For  the  address,  see  page  192. 


•28 


218 


PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  CITY  OF  MONTREAL. 

The  following  are  extracts  from  an  address  of  the  Corporation  of 
Montreal,  delivered  in  that  city  to  the  Governor  General,  Sept.  22, 
1851,  and  from  his  answer,  referred  to  at  page  191. 

From  the  address: — “We  witnessed  with  feelings  of  proud  and 
grateful  satisfaction,  the  dignified  and  able  bearing  of  your  Excellency 
at  the  late  immense  assemblage  in  Boston  of  the  most  distinguished 
statesmen  of  the  American  Union  and  adjoining  Provinces.  And  we 
beg  to  offer  to  your  Excellency  our  acknowledgments  and  thanks  for 
your  effective  and  eloquent  representation  of  our  country  on  that 
interesting  occasion.  We  beg  leave,  also,  to  express  our  sense  of  the 
deep  obligations  we  owe  to  the  authorities  and  citizens  of  Boston  for 
their  cordial  reception  and  most  hospitable  entertainment  of  your 
Excellency,  and  the  citizens  of  Canada,  and  the  gratification  afforded 
us  by  their  enthusiastic  manifestations  of  respect  for  your  Excellency, 
as  Governor  General  of  British  North  America.” 

From  Lord  Elgin’s  answer: — “  It  has  greatly  enhanced  the  pleas¬ 
ure  which  I  have  derived  from  my  visit  to  our  hospitable  neighbors, 
that  I  should  have  been  able,  on  my  return,  in  compliance  with  your 
invitation,  to  accompany  you  to  this  place.  I  think,  indeed,  that  we 
should  be  justly  chargeable  with  ingratitude,  if  we  were  not  prepared 
to  acknowledge,  most  warmly,  our  sense  of  the  kindness  which  we  ex¬ 
perienced  while  in  Boston.  In  parting  from  the  Mayor  of  that  city 
on  Saturday  morning,  in  the  railway  cars,  to  which  he  had  obligingly 
conducted  me,  I  made  an  observation  to  him  which  I  fear  he  hardly 
caught,  and  which  I  am  glad  to  have  an  opportunity  of  repeating  now, 
as  I  am  confident  it  will  meet  your  approval.  I  begged  him  to  re¬ 
member  for  himself,  and  to  remind  his  fellow-citizens,  that  the  ad¬ 
mirable  railways  which  had  brought  Canada  so  near  to  Boston,  and 
rendered  it  so  easy  for  Canadians  to  go  thither,  had  had  a  like  effect 
in  bringing  Boston  near  to  Canada,  and  making  it  easy  for  Bostonians 
to  come  to  us  ;  and  I  ventured  to  express  the  hope,  that  if  he  and  his 
friends  made  the  trial,  they  would  find  the  excellent  virtue  of  hospi¬ 
tality  included  among  the  many  virtues,  practised  by  the  citizens  of 
Boston,  which  we  are  glad  to  imitate.” 


211) 


THE  GOLDEN  RING. 


In  the  Boston  Daily  Advertiser  of  November  29,  1851,  appeared 
under  the  above  head,  an  interesting  communication,  from  which  the 
following  passages  are  extracted : — 

The  historical  allusion  to  the  espousal  of  Venice  to  the  sea,  intro¬ 
duced  by  His  Honor,  the  Mayor,  in  his  speech  at  the  reception  of 
Lord  Elgin,  seems  not  to  be  generally  understood.  An  intelligent 
old  gentleman,  formerly  one  of  the  City  Fathers,  but  now  living 
in  the  quiet  retirement  of  the  country,  writes  thus  to  a  friend  now 
residing  in  the  City.  “  I  have  read  with  great  interest  the  mi¬ 
nute  descriptions,  given  in  the  newspapers  of  your  Railroad  Cele¬ 
bration.  It  was,  indeed,  a  proud  display  for  old  Boston,  and  will  be 
handed  down  to  posterity,  side  by  side,  with  the  Boston  Tea  Party. 
*  *  *  #  *-  *  * 

I  have  been  much  puzzled  to  find  out  what  he  [the  Mayor]  meant 
by  his  allusion  to  ‘  the  Golden  Ring.’  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to 
favor  me  with  some  explanation  of  this  at  your  earliest  leisure  ?  ” 

It  is  presumed  that  the  old  gentleman,  who  wrote  this  letter,  is  not 
the  only  one,  who  has  been  somewhat  “puzzled”  to  understand  fully 
the  allusion  to  a  festival,  whose  origin  belongs  rather  to  the  romance, 
than  to  the  realities  of  history. 

The  story  is  thus  told,  with  various  embellishments,  by  the  histo¬ 
rians  of  the  twelfth  century. 

In  1159,  Alexander  III.,  was  called  to  the  papal  chair.  He 
reigned  till  1181,  struggling  with  various  fortune  and  undaunted 
courage  against  the  antipopes,  Victor  III.,  Paschal  III.,  and  Calixtus 
III.,  who  were  contending  for  the  pontifical  throne,  and  against  his 
more  formidable  enemy,  the  powerful  Frederic  I.,  Emperor  of  Ger¬ 
many. 

About  1177,  when  the  anathemas  of  Frederic  were  law  throughout 
all  Italy,  as  well  as  Germany,  the  persecuted  Pope,  “  interdicted  from 
fire  and  water,”  wras  obliged  to  flee  from  the  continent.  To  Venice 
alone  could  he  look  for  a  refuge ;  and  thither  he  secretly  turned  his 
steps.  Ziani  was  then  Doge,  the  chief  officer  of  Venice.  He  re¬ 
ceived  the  exiled  Pope  with  the  profoundest  respect  and  tenderest 
sympathy,  and  immediately  demanded  of  Frederic  an  acknowledg¬ 
ment  of  his  claims  to  the  papal  throne.  Frederic  hurried  the  Vene¬ 
tian  messenger  home  with  the  haughty  reply,  “  Tell  your  master  to 
deliver  to  me  the  miserable  Alexander,  in  chains,  or  I  will  plant  my 
eagles  on  the  gates  of  St.  Marks,  and  leave  but  a  pile  of  ruins,  where 
now  stands  the  proud  city  of  the  presumptuous  Ziani !  ”  The  trump 
of  war  was  sounded  at  once.  Although  the  Venetian  fleet  numbered 
only  half  as  many  vessels  as  that  of  Frederic,  Ziani  boldly  set  sail, 
trusting  in  the  virtue  of  the  pontifical  blessing,  and  not  less,  perhaps, 


220 


in  the  good  sword,  with  which  the  vicegerent  of  God  condescended  to 
gird  him. 

Heaven  seemed  propitious  to  the  cause  of  the  holy  father,  for  it 
sent  favoring  winds  to  Ziani.  Nerved  by  the  consciousness  that  not 
only  the  fate  of  the  venerated  Pope,  but  also  that  of  their  wives  and 
children,  their  homes,  their  beloved  city  was  at  stake,  the  Venetians 
impatiently  awaited  the  signal  for  attack.  It  was  given.  Speeding 
along  on  the  wings  of  the  wind  they  rushed  upon  their  astounded 
foes  with  resistless  power,  and,  after  a  short  but  desperate  conflict, 
the  commander,  Frederic’s  son  Otho,  was  glad  to  sue  for  peace  by  the 
surrender  of  himself,  his  men,  and  the  remnants  of  his  shattered  fleet. 
Ziani  turned  towards  home  with  his  prisoners.  As  he  proudly  swept 
up  the  Adriatic,  the  captive  fleet  following  sadly  in  his  train,  the 
strains  of  triumphal  music,  and  the  prolonged  and  hearty  shouts  of 
his  victorious  sailors,  rising  over  the  waters,  the  whole  city,  old  and 
young  with  throbbing  hearts,  crowded  through  the  gates  to  the  shore 
at  Lido,  to  welcome  home  with  tears  of  joy  and  heartfelt  thanksgivings 
the  noble  defenders  of  Venice.  Alexander,  too,  hastened  to  acknowl¬ 
edge  his  obligations  to  Ziani,  and  to  render  the  grateful  homage  of 
an  overflowing  heart  to  Him,  whose  blessing  he  had  invoked  in  the 
enterprise.  As  Ziani  stepped  from  his  boat,  the  Pope  presented  him 
with  a  golden  ring,  saying,  “  Take  this  ring,  and  with  it  take,  on  my 
authority,  the  sea  as  your  subject.  Every  year,  on  the  return  of  this 
happy  day,  you  and  your  successors  shall  make  known  to  all  posterity, 
that  the  right  of  conquest  has  subjugated  the  Adriatic  to  Venice,  as  a 
spouse  to  her  husband  1  ” 

The  defeated  and  mortified  Frederic  was  glad  to  accede  to  any 
terms,  which  the  Pope  and  Ziani  might  be  pleased  to  dictate.  He 
was  summoned  before  the  man,  the  soles  of  whose  weary  feet  he  had 
suffered  to  find  no  resting  place  for  many  a  sorrowful  year  in  all  the 
length  and  breadth  of  Italy.  The  hour  of  revenge  had  come.  Ar¬ 
rayed  in  his  pontifical  robes,  Alexander  sat  on  his  lofty  throne.  All 
the  bitter  recollections  of  the  years,  that  were  past,  were  rankling  in 
his  breast.  Sternly  he  gazed  on  his  conquered  foe  for  a  moment ; 
and  then,  with  a  contemptuous  air,  pointed  to  his  footstool.  There 
was  no  alternative.  The  proud  emperor  bowed  himself  down ;  and, 
placing  his  neck  beneath  the  foot  of  his  hated  conqueror,  swore  alle¬ 
giance  to  Alexander  III.,  as  the  rightful  possessor  of  the  triple 
crown. 

For  the  long  course  of  more  than  six  hundred  years,  every  fresh 
return  of  the  Feast  of  Ascension  witnessed  the  renewal  of  the  joyous 
nuptials.  This  was  the  great  gala-day  of  Venice.  The  man  forgot 
his  toil,  the  woman  her  household,  the  child  his  sports,  and  all,  with 
one  accord,  joined  in  celebrating  the  marriage  of  the  city  to  the  peer¬ 
less  bride.  Mass  having  been  solemnized  in  the  old  church  of  San 
Nicolo,  the  Doge  and  his  nobles,  arrayed  in  their  gorgeous  robes  of 
state,  embarked  in  the  Bucentaur,  the  splendid  state  galley,  resplen¬ 
dent  with  ornaments  of  gold,  and  decked  with  the  richest  paintings, 
commemorative  of  the  triumph  of  Ziani,  and  the  first  nuptial  ceremo¬ 
ny.  As  they  glided  along  the  spacious  canal,  they  were  everywhere 
greeted  with  waving  of  banners,  strains  of  music,  and  deafening 


221 


shouts  from  the  crowded  windows  and  piazzas  and  roofs,  and  from  the 
thousands  of  richly  decorated  gondolas,  that  emulated  the  splendor  of 
the  Bucentaur  itself.  Amidst  these  universal  demonstrations  of  re¬ 
joicing,  they  proceeded  to  Lido,  to  meet  the  waiting  bride.  The 
thousands  of  voices  were  hushed.  The  noble  bridegroom  arose,  and 
dropping  a  golden  ring  into  the  waters,  wedded  the  sea  with  this 
beautiful  greeting,  “We  wed  thee  with  this  ring,  in  token  of  our  true 
and  perpetual  sovereignty  !  ” 

Such  was  the  pageant,  and  such  its  origin.  It  was  well  for  the 
people  of  Venice  on  every  returning  year  with  festivities  and  rejoicing 
to  celebrate  and  renew  the  union  of  the  city  to  the  munificent  Bride, 
who  had  won  for  it  its  richest  treasures  and  its  highest  glory — had 
poured  into  its  lap  the  choicest  luxuries  of  Oriental  wealth,  and  the 
countless  hoards  of  “  barbaric  pearl  and  gold,”  and  encircled  its  brow 
with  the  proud  diadem  of  “  Queen  of  the  Seas.” 

It  was  well,  too,  for  us  and  our  welcome  guests  to  assemble  togeth¬ 
er  to  celebrate  the  completion  of  those  bonds,  which,  though  of  iron, 
shall  join  us  in  the  indissoluble  union  of  friendship  and  love — a  union 
more  auspicious  of  glorious  results  than  that  of  Venice  and  her 
cherished  Sea, — a  union,  which  shall  not  only  advance  the  highest 
commercial  interests  of  the  parties,  but  which  shall  heal  the  bleeding- 
wounds  so  long  kept  open  by  narrow  distrust  and  sectional  jealousies, 
those  fruits  of  mutual  misapprehension,  and  shall  make  the  two  peo¬ 
ples,  who  are  kindred  in  race  and  in  feeling,  forsake  and  forget  the 
animosities  of  the  past,  and  cleave  to  each  other  forever.  The  signifi¬ 
cance  of  the  allusion  is  apparent. 

^  ±  ^ 

^  vjr  <t> 


222 


OCEAN  STEAM  SHIP  COMPANY  OF  NEW  ENGLAND. 

The  following  interesting  article  was  prepared  for  tlie  Boston 
Courier  by  a  gentleman  who  has  had  occasion,  from  time  to  time,  for 
several  years,  to  devote  no  inconsiderable  attention  to  the  rise,  pro¬ 
gress  and  effects  of  railways,  and  of  steam  navigation  in  various  por¬ 
tions  of  the  country,  where  either  or  both  of  these  great  modes  of 
conveyance  and  transportation,  have  been  established. 

The  first  American  Lines  of  Steamers  from  Boston  to 
the  Old  World.  Five  and  twenty  years  have  elapsed  since  that 
eminent  merchant,  the  Hon.  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  founded  in  New 
England,  the  first  railroad  ever  built  in  the  United  States.  During 
that  term  of  time,  our  capitalists,  enterprising  and  leading  men,  have 
devoted  large  portions  of  their  attention  and  means  to  the  construc¬ 
tion  of  railways,  and  the  completion  of  the  railway  system  among  us ; 
their  expenditures  upon  and  in  connection  with  these  public  works, 
amounting  within  Massachusetts  alone,  to  millions  of  dollars  per 
annum.  Indeed,  so  deeply  and  constantly  have  not  only  the  principal 
parties,  but  the  community  at  large,  been  absorbed  in  promoting  the 
extension  and  success  of  this  great  and  growing,  though  comparatively 
new  mode  for  the  transportation  of  passengers  and  merchandise,  that 
they  appear  almost  to  have  forgotten  another  means  of  transit  and 
conveyance  of  the  very  first  magnitude,  and  without  the  promotion 
and  advancement  of  which,  it  can  hardly  be  possible  ultimately  to  main¬ 
tain  in  full  action  and  prosperity  the  railroads  themselves  or  their 
dependencies.  We  refer  especially  to  the  establishment  of  lines  of 
American  Steamers  between  Boston  and  foreign  nations.  The  steam¬ 
ship,  as  we  all  know,  is  five  and  twenty  years  older  than  the  railway. 
For  half  a  century  or  more,  it  has  been  undergoing  a  series  of  trials 
and  progressive  improvements,  until  human  ingenuity  has  rendered  it 
so  extraordinary  in  size,  proportions,  accommodations,  power  and 
speed,  that  it  no  longer  looks  upon  the  common  sailing  ship  as  its 
competitor ;  and,  although  old-fashioned  vessels  will  probably  always 
be  used  more  or  less  in  certain  voyages  and  in  certain  places ;  yet 
“for  despatch  and  quick  returns” — for  all  great  commercial  purposes 
and  public  enterprises  over  the  sea,  the  time  is  at  hand  when  these 
old-fashioned  vessels  must  inevitably  yield  to  the  steamship  the  mas¬ 
tery  of  the  ocean. 

These  “writings  upon  the  wall”  have  not  escaped  the  observation 
of  men  of  intelligence  and  forecast ;  yet  with  these  things  staring  in 
their  faces,  and  pressing  every  day  more  and  more  closely  upon  them, 
what  has  been  done  in  Boston  or  all  Massachusetts  for  steam  naviga¬ 
tion  ?  AVe  have  built  railways,  vast  in  extent,  cost  and  number. 
We  have  sent  forth  trunks  and  branches  in  all  directions.  We  have 
penetrated  the  interior  with  them — far  off,  and  on  every  side : — pierc¬ 
ing  even  the  wilds  of  the  wilderness  with  the  scream  of  the  locomo- 


223 


live.  We  have  connected  and  bound  them  together,  and  concentrated 
all  the  principal  lines  within  our  own  metropolis,  and  made  the  city  of 
Boston  the  focus,  the  grand  centre  of  all  the  principal  radii  of  these 
immense  net-works  of  iron.  But  what  has  been,  done  to  transport 
over  the  Atlantic,  the  merchandise  and  people  which  these  roads  are 
pouring  in  upon  us,  or  are  about  to  bring  into  this  city  from  the  towns 
on  their  borders  from  distant  places,  from  the  Canadas  and  the  far 
West?  what  to  convey  to  these  our  great  depots,  trunks  and  branches, 
thence  to  be  disseminated  inland,  the  goods  and  passengers,  waiting 
and  urgent  to  be  brought  from  foreign  climes  ?  We  have  done 
nothing.  We  have  attempted  nothing.  We  have  been  depending 
upon  common  sailing  vessels  to  perform  the  whole  work  of  the  water¬ 
carrying-trade  and  business  ;  to  bear  hither  and  thither,  on  the  main, 
if  not  coastwise,  the  entire  mass  of  our  freights — all  our  interchange¬ 
able  commodities — imports  and  exports,  grown  and  manufactured — of 
every  size,  quality,  price  and  description.  We  are  relying  upon  the  very 
same  vessels  now;  although  we  are  well  aware  that  they  are  but  the 
mere  stage  coaches  of  the  ocean — bearing  no  more  relation  to  that 
magnificent  mechanism,  which  Fulton  created  to  be  a  thing  of  life 
upon  the  waves,  than  the  most  ordinary  one-horse-vehicle  does  to  the 
swift  and  powerful  locomotive  which  Evans  invented  for  the  land. 

We  have  not  constructed  within  our  own  borders  even  a  single  sea 
going  steamer.  True,  our  English  friends  have  boldly  come  forward, 
established,  and  maintained,  a  noble  line  of  steamers  between  Liver¬ 
pool  and  Boston.  But  this  has  not  been  followed  up  by  lines  on  the 
part  of  our  own  citizens  ;  and  all  the  merchants  in  the  capital  of  New 
England  have  not,  up  to  this  hour,  even  a  solitary  sea-going  steamer 
of  their  own  on  the  route  between  the  new  world  and  the  old.  Not 
one !  And  how  is  it,  that  among  the  people  of  Massachusetts,  so  re¬ 
nowned  for  their  enterprise,  industry,  and  ingenuity,  perseverance, 
activity,  adventurousness  and  thrift, — how  is  it,  that  in  Boston,  where 
there  are  so  much  wealth  and  energy,  skill  and  traffic,  so  many  rich¬ 
growing  traders,  manufacturers  and  mechanics  ;  where  the  leading 
bankers,  capitalists,  real-estate  owners,  railway  proprietors,  ship-build¬ 
ers,  and  others,  are  so  numerous  and  prosperous  ;  having  their  sub¬ 
stantial,  elegant,  and  costly  residences  in  the  city,  and  their  extensive, 
and  not  less  costly  and  beautiful  villas,  cottages,  summer-houses,  and 
gardens,  planted  in  every  watering-place,  and  dotting  all  the  country 
around  ;  where  there  are  to  be  found  the  owners  of  some  of  the  finest 
farms  and  other  landed  estates,  factories  and  other  works,  and  some 
of  the  best  dividend-paying  railroad  and  other  stocks,  in  almost  every 
State  of  the  Union ;  where  the  inhabitants  possess  so  many,  and  such 
commodious  piers,  wharves,  shipyards,  and  warehouses,  and  one  of 
the  broadest  and  most  secure  harbors  in  North  America ; — how  is  it, 
that  among  such  a  money-seeking  and  money-making  race,  holding 
commercial  intercourse,  year  in  and  year  out,  with  nearly  every  nation 
under  the  sun,  and  ever  on  the  alert  for  new  things,  new  undertakings 
and  expenditures,  as  well  as  new  gains  and  acquisitions — none  are  to 
be  found  engaged  in  steam  navigation  upon  the  high  seas, — that  Bos¬ 
tonians  have  not,  to  this  day,  one  line  of  steamers,  of  their  own,  from 
their  own  port  to  any  other  beyond  the  ocean?  Is  it  because  they 


224 


are  ignorant  of  the  potency  of  steam  ?  of  the  superior  capacity  or 
powers  of  the  steamboat?  or  of  the  progress,  the  beneficial  effects  of 
steamboat  building,  or  steam  navigation,  in  a  hundred  different  ways, 
in  every  place  where  either  is  carried  on  ?  Are  they  unapprised  of 
the  fact,  that  in  these  stirring  times  of  competition  all  along  the  coast, 
as  well  as  inland,  no  merchant  can,  in  the  long  run ,  prosecute  his 
business  to  a  great  extent,  with  the  utmost  facility  and  success,  with¬ 
out  pressing  into  his  service  the  swiftest  means  of  conveyance  and 
intercommunication  known  to  man — upon  the  water  and  the  land,  by 
railway,  telegraph,  and  steamer?  Is  it  because  they  must  consume 
half  their  lives  in  thinking  and  talking,  debating,  considering,  and  re¬ 
considering,  before  they  can  make  up  their  minds  how  and  when  to 
act  ?  No  !  It  is  because  they  have  been  brought  up  to  do  one  thing 
at  a  time.  It  is  because  of  their  determination  all  along — their  pre¬ 
determination  to  finish  the  railways  in  the  first  place;  to  apply  all 
their  ability  and  energies  to  the  completion  of  the  railway  system  ;  well 
knowing  from  the  outset,  that  this  done,  they  could,  with  their  supera¬ 
bundant  resources,  summon  at  any  moment  the  steamboat  to  their  aid, 
and  all  other  essential  helps  and  appliances  of  the  kind.  And  this 
object  they  have  at  length  accomplished.  All  their  main  railroads 
are  now  completed,  and  each  one  is  in  full  and  successful  operation. 

This  broad  and  permanent  railway  basis,  so  indispensable  to  our 
people  for  new  and  momentous  operations  and  adventures,  being  thus 
erected,  now  it  is  that  they  are  about  to  commence  steam  navigation. 
This  great  and  wonderful  race  over  the  seas,  they  will  now  and  hence¬ 
forth  enter  upon,  and  they  will  triumph  in  it  as  certainly  and  signally 
as  they  have  in  clipper  ships  and  internal  improvements.  Nor  could 
they  begin  more  opportunely,  or  under  circumstances  more  auspicious 
• — never,  perhaps,  at  a  better  time.  For  they  have  no  long  and  tedious 
trials  to  encounter,  no  doubtful  or  expensive  experiments  to  go  through 
with,  in  order  to  invent,  improve,  or  render  more  perfect,  the  ma¬ 
chinery,  form,  or  structure  of  the  steamship.  All  these  things  have 
been  done  in  other  parts  of  the  country,  and  by  other  persons,  who 
have  been  incessantly  engaged  upon  “  engine  boilers  and  hull,  paddles, 
screw-wheels,  furnaces  and  propellers,”  for  the  last  fifty  years,  at 
their  own  risk,  and  with  their  own  money.  The  results  of  the  expe¬ 
rience  and  ingenuity  of  this  half  century  have  now  become  not 
only  manifest,  but  public  property  ;  and  Bostonians  have  nothing  to 
do  but  avail  themselves  of,  and,  in  common  with  others,  convert  the 
whole  to  their  own  use  and  benefit,  at  the  most  gainful  rates,  with  the 
least  procrastination,  and  in  the  best  possible  way.  The  finest  steam 
marine  models  in  existence  are  ready  made  to  their  hands,  and  the 
most  accomplished  naval  constructors  and  practical  and  scientific  en¬ 
gineers  and  naval  commanders  are  as  ready  to  enter  into  their  service. 
They  have  already  secured  all  that  is  necessary  to  make  a  suitable,  if 
not  an  imposing  beginning,  and  as  soon  as  they  get  fairly  under  way, 
will  employ,  one  after  another,  just  as  many  ocean  steam  lines  as  the 
mercantile  marine  shall  require  to  make  their  depots  in  Boston  harbor. 

The  first  line  of  these  new  steam  packets  will,  we  understand,  con¬ 
sist  of  four  vessels,  and  occupy  the  route  between  Boston  and  Liver¬ 
pool.  The  first  one  will  take  her  departure  about  the  first  of  August 


225 


ensuing.  She  is  named  the  “  S.  S.  Lewis,”  and  is  one  of  the  most 
splendid  vessels  of  her  class  ever  seen.  She  is  of  not  less  than  1800 
tons  burthen,  and  altogether  the  most  costly  ship  ever  owned  in  Bos¬ 
ton.  She  belongs  to  “  the  Ocean  Steamship  Company  of  New  Eng¬ 
land,”  incorporated  by  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  with  an  authorized 
capital  to  an  immense  amount — larger,  it  is  believed,  than  that  of  any 
other  similar  incorporated  company  in  the  United  States.  In  a  few 
days,  then,  the  “  S.  S.  Lewis  ”  will  come  from  the  hands  of  the  con¬ 
structors,  and  take  her  berth  at  the  wharves  of  the  Grand  Junction 
Railroad  and  Depot  Company,  and  thence  leave  on  her  first  voyage 
over  the  Atlantic.  The  day  of  her  departure  will  be  the  dawn  of  a 
new  era  in  this  section  of  the  country ;  for  she  will  be  the  American 
file-leader  of  a  new  means  of  transportation  and  transit  between  New 
England  and  the  Old  World ;  the  Yankee  pioneer  of  a  change  in  our 
commercial  intercourse  and  relations  both  at  home  and  abroad — a 
change,  destined  to  be  as  impulsive,  eventful  and  lasting ;  as  marked 
and  beneficial  in  its  results, — so  far  as  the  traffic  of  our  citizens  with 
foreign  climes  is  concerned, — as  has  been  effected  among  us,  in  the 
way  of  internal  improvements,  intercommunication  and  internal  trade 
by  the  iron  horse  upon  the  land ;  a  change,  it  may  be  added,  which 
as  it  goes  on  from  year  to  year,  involving,  as  sooner  or  later  it  must, 
steamboat  building  among  us,  and  all  matters  connected  with  it,  will 
create  more  and  more  activity  in  every  branch  of  business  among  the 
people,  to  an  extent,  indeed,  that  it  were  vain  to  expect  to  see  realized 
in  any  other  way. 

This  new  and  superior  line  of  steamers  has  been  founded  by 
Messrs.  Harnden  &  Company,  of  this  city,  in  conjunction  with  a 
number  of  wealthy  and  powerful  parties — not  less  eminent  for  their 
foresight  and  energy  in  commercial  matters,  than  for  their  resources 
and  influence  in  the  community.  The  originator  of  this  House,  it 
will  be  recollected,  was  the  person  who  established  or  led  to  the  estab¬ 
lishment  of  all  the  expresses  upon  the  railroads  in  the  United  States. 
Leaving  some  time  ago  this  particular  branch  of  business  to  their 
successors  in  it,  they  have  since  been  engaged  as  merchants  and 
bankers,  and  now  the  public  are  again  indebted  to  them  for  being 
among  the  first  to  lead  in  the  establishment  of  American  steamships 
from  Boston  to  the  ports  of  other  nations  ;  an  undertaking,  by  far  the 
most  important  for  New  England,  that  has  been  projected  since  the 
introduction  of  railways  and  locomotives  among  us — the  most  mo¬ 
mentous  and  promising,  in  fact,  that  now  remains  to  be  carried  on  in 
this  quarter  of  the  country. 

In  this  connection  the  following  paragraphs,  extracted  from  the  Bos¬ 
ton  Journal  of  a  late  date,  are  not  without  interest. 

Time  was  when  the  capacity  of  Boston  to  sustain  one  single  ship  in 
the  London  or  Liverpool  regular  trade,  was  questioned,  and  many  of 
our  merchants  remember  with  what  doubtful  shakes  of  the  head  the 
report  that  Messrs.  Train  &  Co.  were  about  to  establish  a  line  of 
packets,  was  greeted.  In  this  connection  our  readers  will  probably 
be  as  much  interested  as  we  have  been  by  a  perusal  of  the  following 
letter,  which  was  found  among  the  papers  of  an  eminent  merchant, 


29 


226 


recently  deceased,  and  which  forcibly  illustrates,  by  comparison  with 
the  merchant  service  of  the  present  time,  the  growth  of  the  commerce 
of  Boston: 

London,  March  1,  1804. 

Dear  H. :  Mrs.  L.  will  most  likely  inform  you  of  a  conversation 
between  us  respecting  a  vessel  for  the  Boston  trade.  I  have  thought 
much  on  the  subject,  and  consulted  with  the  most  respectable  shippers, 
the  result  of  which  is,  a  full  conviction  that  there  never  was  a  better 
opening.  You  may  rely  on  it  that  a  good  vessel  of  from  220  to  250 
tons,  fixed  as  a  regular  trader  between  us  and  Boston,  would  pay  the 
owner  handsomely.  Now  should  you  feel  inclined  to  avail  yourself 
of  this  opportunity,  it  may  be  the  means  of  fixing  D.  in  a  respectable 
employ,  and  at  the  same  time  serve  your  interest.  There  are  various 
articles,  which,  if  attended  to,  will  always  pay  a  handsome  freight 
from  America.  Of  these  I  can  keep  you  regularly  informed,  and  I 
presume  there  are  likewise  articles  from  hence,  which  will,  if  neces¬ 
sary  to  purchase,  then  produce  at  least  a  freight  in  Boston.  All  kinds 
of  Lumber  have  for  some  time  past  brought  a  handsome  price,  and 
you  will  observe,  by  the  enclosed  price  current,  that  West  India 
Produce  is  very  high,  and  as  the  Spring  trade  opens  on  the  continent, 
it  may  be  expected  to  advance.  Think  of  this  as  early  as  possible, 
and  on  all  occasions  command  me  when  I  can  render  you  any  services. 

Yours  sincerely. 


227 


THE  STEAMER  S.  S.  LEWIS. 


This  fine  ocean  steamer  arrived  at  Boston,  at  10  o’clock,  Wednes¬ 
day  evening,  Sept.  17th,  with  a  large  party  of  gentlemen  from  New 
York,  Philadelphia,  and  Boston,  on  board,  by  invitation  of  Messrs. 
Harnden  &  Co.,  and  Capt.  Loper.  She  left  Philadelphia  on  Satur¬ 
day,  the  13th,  about  10  o’clock,  and  with  colors  flying,  guns  firing,  and 
amid  the  cheers  of  the  people,  steamed  it  down  the  river  in  fine  style. 
The  day  was  beautiful,  the  weather  warm  and  calm,  and  everything 
betokened  a  speedy  and  right  pleasant  trip  to  Boston  ;  but  after  making 
about  75  miles  east  from  Cape  Henlopen,  at  a  quarter  before  3  o’clock, 
A.  M.,  she  was  put  back  on  account  of  a  severe  gale  which  she  en¬ 
countered,  and  which  was  so  threatening  in  its  appearance  as  to  make 
such  a  course  advisable,  although  a  great  disappointment  to  all  on 
board.  She  reached  the  Delaware  Breakwater  at  9  o’clock,  Sunday 
morning,  and  lay  at  anchor  there  till  10  o’clock,  Monday  night,  the 
wind  all  the  while  blowing  very  hard,  when  she  weighed  anchor  and 
stood  out  to  sea  on  her  course  for  Boston.  Her  behavior  during  the 
passage — standing  up  gallantly  to  the  work  right  in  the  teeth  of  a 
strong  head  wind  and  in  a  rough  sea — thoroughly  tested  her  capabili¬ 
ties,  and  proved  her  to  be  a  first  rate  sea  boat.  The  passengers  ex¬ 
pressed  themselves  highly  pleased  with  the  performance  of  the  ship, 
and  with  the  attentions  which  they  received  on  board,  as  will  be  seen 
by  the  following  resolutions,  passed  by  the  passengers,  just  before  their 
arrival  here. 

Resolved ,  That  the  manner  in  which  the  steamer  S.  S.  Lewis  per¬ 
formed  during  the  gale  of  the  13th  inst.,  making  seven  and  a  half 
knots  per  hour,  in  the  very  teeth  of  a  heavy  northeaster,  under  circum¬ 
stances  calculated  to  test  severely  the  sea-going  qualities  of  any  vessel, 
have  given  her  a  title  to  rank  in  the  first  class  of  ocean  steamers. 

Resolved ,  That  the  arrangements  of  the  S.  S.  Lewis  for  the  accom¬ 
modation  of  passengers,  are  elegant  and  tasteful,  and  as  well  calculated 
to  ensure  the  comfort  and  convenience  of  passengers,  as  those  of  any 
other  steamer  afloat. 

Resolved ,  That  in  her  late  passage  the  ship  S.  S.  Lewis  has  evinced 
a  capacity  for  speed  which  proves  satisfactorily  the  superiority  of  her 
machinery  over  that  of  any  Propeller  yet  constructed,  the  distance  ac¬ 
complished  being  487  miles  in  the  short  space  of  47  hours,  against  a 
strong  north-east  wind.  She  has  also  proved  herself  an  easy  sea  boat, 
her  motion  being  almost  imperceptible  to  the  passengers,  although  the 
voyage  was  made  under  such  adverse  circumstances. 

Resolved ,  That  our  thanks  are  specially  due  to  Capt.  Cole,  and  the 
officers  of  the  ship  generally,  for  the  kindness  and  courtesy  they  have 
manifested  on  the  passage.  From  our  knowledge  of  the  gentlemen  on 
this  and  other  occasions,  we  have  entire  confidence  in  their  capacity  to 
fulfil  the  duties  of  their  respective  stations,  and  heartily  recommend 
them  to  the  travelling  public. 


228 


Resolved ,  That  the  above  resolutions  be  signed  by  the  passengers, 
and  published  in  the  newspapers  of  Boston,  New  York  and  Phila¬ 
delphia. 

These  resolutions  were  signed  by  the  following  passengers  : 

J.  H.  Vanderbilt,  Charles  L.  Dimon,  F.  L.  Andrews,  Henry  G. 
Clark,  Samuel  Hall,  James  Spencer,  Michael  V.  Baker,  J.  W.  Me 
Lean,  Lovell  Purdy,  W.  J.  Graham,  H.  D.  Huston,  Clias.  M  Simon¬ 
son,  C.  Vanderbilt,  Jr.,  William  Flowers,  Walter  M.  Stewart,  William 
Gulager,  J.  DeForest,  William  H.  Vanderbilt,  Frank  Munroe,  E.  H. 
Cob,  William  E.  Sibell.  William  Guier,  Samuel  11.  Glen,  H.  R.Tracy, 
R.  B.  Fitts,  C.  O.  Rogers,  William  R.  Pidgear,  John  W.  Mills,  Geo. 
W.  Wheeler,  Stephen  M.  Mitchell,  David  Barnet,  Lewis  S.  Corvell, 
William  T.  Mackrell,  William  C.  Tripler,  James  H.  Lander,  Richard 
Haiger,  J.  W.  Frye,  Thomas  Tileston,  Jr. 

The  meeting  was  then  dissolved. 


J.  H.  Vanderbilt,  President. 


F.  L.  Andrews, 
Chas.  L.  Dimon, 


The  S.  S.  Lewis  is  a  noble  looking  ship.  Her  length  on  deck  is 
225  feet,  her  breadth  32  feet,  and  her  depth  26  feet.  She  registers 
1103  tons,  but  measures  1850  tons,  cubic  capacity.  Her  frame  is 
white  oak,  trussed  together  with  diagonal  iron  bands,  and  most  of  her 
planking  and  ceiling  is  of  the  same  material.  She  will  be  coppered 
up  18  feet  forward,  and  19  aft,  and  is  painted  black.  She  has  a  carv¬ 
ed  and  gilded  billet  head,  and  gilded  carved  work  along  her  trail 
boards  and  around  her  hawse-holes.  The  ends  of  her  cat-heads  are 
also  ornamented,  and  her  name  is  engraved  in  gilded  letters  on  her 
head  boards.  Her  stern  is  square,  and  is  ornamented  with  a  gilded 
spread-eagle  and  other  devices  handsomely  arranged. 

On  deck  she  has  a  house  180  feet  in  length,  15  feet  wide,  and  6  1-2 
feet  high.  The  top  of  this  house  is  railed  in  with  brass,  and  forms  an 
excellent  promenade  for  her  cabin  passengers.  The  after  division  of 
this  house  extends  across  the  deck,  and  is  raised  into  a  wheel-house. 
Next  to  the  wheel-house  are  three  water  closets,  before  these  a  smoking 
room  and  a  passage  way,  in  the  centre  of  which  is  a  beautiful  capstan, 
brass  mounted  and  made  of  mahogany  and  locust.  Next,  forward,  are 
five  lengths  of  state-rooms,  then  the  captain’s  cabin,  before  that  a  sa¬ 
loon  twenty  feet  long,  and  next  the  staircase  which  leads  to  the  cabin 
below.  Farther  forward  is  the  hatchway  which  leads  to  the  engine- 
room,  next  the  galleys — then  the  officers’  mess-room,  on  the  starboard 
side,  and  a  skylight  in  the  middle,  and  a  pastry  room  on  the  opposite 
side ;  next  an  ice  house,  and  forward  of  all  a  tier  of  state-rooms, 
Most  of  these  rooms  are  designed  for  the  ship’s  officers,  such  as  mates, 
engineers,  surgeon,  &c.  The  accommodations  for  her  crew  are  below 
on  the  main  deck  forward.  The  house  is  panelled,  has  a  projecting 
roof  or  top,  and  is  grained  in  imitation  of  polished  oak,  and  her  bul¬ 
warks  are  painted  fawn  color.  She  has  a  spacious  forecastle  abaft  the 
windlass,  and  a  small  topgallant  forecastle  before  it. 

Her  main  cabin  is  aft  on  the  main  deck,  and  contains  30  state¬ 
rooms  with  two  berths  in  each.  It  is  finished  in  a  neat  but  not  gaudy 


229 


manner,  with  panel  work,  set  off  with  pilasters  and  cornices,  all  of 
which  are  edged  with  tasteful  carving,  fringed  with  gold  and  silver. 
The  cabin  is  lighted  by  four  stern  lights  and  a  skylight.  The  state 
rooms  are  spacious,  and  well  lighted  and  ventilated. 

The  space  before  the  cabin  is  designed  for  second  class  passengers, 
and  is  lighted  in  the  same  way  as  the  deck  abaft.  The  forward  and 
after  parts  of  the  lower  deck,  clear  of  the  engine  room,  can  be  render¬ 
ed  available  for  steerage  passengers  or  the  stowage  of  cargo. 

The  motive  power  of  the  S.  S.  Lewis  consists  of  two  engines,  with 
60  inch  cylinders,  and  40  inches  stroke,  applied  to  one  of  Loper’s  pro¬ 
pellers,  which  is  of  iron  14  feet  in  diameter,  with  4  fans,  formed  at  angles 
of  50  degrees,  and  their  greatest  width  or  face  is  3  feet  6  inches.  The 
engines  were  made  by  James  T.  Sutton  &  Co.,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
are  compact,  massive  and  powerful.  They  are  capable  of  working 
1180  horse  power,  but  in  the  trip  from  the  Breakwater  to  Boston,  they 
were  only  worked  up  to  600  horse  power.  She  is  rigged  similar  to 
the  Cunard  steamers,  and  her  rigging  is  of  the  best  Russia  hemp. 
Her  sails  are  also  of  Russia  canvas. 

It  is  estimated  that  the  S.  S.  Lewis  will  make  seven  voyages  a  year 
between  this  and  Liverpool,  will  carry  300  tons  of  dead  weight, 
1000  tons  of  measurement  goods,  and  accommodate  100  cabin 
passengers — and  all  this  exclusive  of  fuel  and  stores.  With  only  her 
lower  holds  full  of  cargo,  it  is  estimated  that  she  can  accommodate 
nearly  900  passengers,  including  those  in  the  steerage. 

The  S.  S.  Lewis  is  owned  by  the  Ocean  Steamship  Company  of 
New  England.  Her  commander,  Capt.  Cole,  formerly  of  the  ship 
Orpheus,  and  late  of  the  Steamship  Tennessee,  is  well  known  as  an 
accomplished  gentleman  and  a  thorough  sailor.  Messrs.  Harnden  & 
Co.  are  the  agents,  both  at  this  port  and  at  Liverpool  for  the  company, 
and  under  their  management  its  affairs  will  be  conducted  in  a  wise 
and  judicious  manner. 


230 


THE  MASSACHUSETTS  RAILROAD  SYSTEM. 


The  following  article,  copied  from  the  editorial  columns  of  the  Bos¬ 
ton  Daily  Advertiser  of  17th,  18th  and  19th  of  September,  last,  though 
short,  is  an  extremely  comprehensive  and  interesting  history  of  the 
Railroad  System  of  Massachusetts.  It  is  presumed  to  be  from  the 
pen  of  the  editor  of  that  Journal,  the  Hon.  Nathan  Hale,  long  dis¬ 
tinguished  as  one  of  the  earliest,  most  persevering,  and  enlightened 
advocates  of  the  introduction  of  that  system  into  our  State,  and  to 
whose  efforts  for  its  establishment  and  extension,  are  due,  as  much  per¬ 
haps  as  to  those  of  any  one  person,  its  ultimate  development  and 
success : — 

The  city  government  having  appointed  the  three  ensuing  days, 
to  be  observed  as  an  occasion  of  public  jubilee,  in  commemoration 
of  the  success  of  the  works  of  internal  improvement  which  have  laid 
open  to  our  metropolis  channels  of  easy  intercourse  with  distant  parts 
of  the  country,  in  all  directions,  it  may  be  incumbent  on  the  public 
press  to  present  a  brief  synopsis  of  the  nature  and  extent  of  these 
improvements.  A  short  description  of  the  works  which  constitute  the 
various  routes  of  communication,  imperfect  as  it  must  be,  to  be  em¬ 
braced  within  the  compass  of  two  or  three  columns  of  a  newspaper, 
may  serve  to  give  some  idea  of  their  extent  and  varied  ramifications. 
Such  a  synopsis  may  be  even  more  acceptable  to  the  strangers  who 
have  visited  us  on  the  invitation  of  our  municipal  authorities,  for  the 
purpose  of  participating  in  the  jubilee,  than  a  more  detailed  descrip¬ 
tion. 

To  enable  the  reader  to  form  any  just  idea  of  the  importance  of  this 
system  of  improvements  to  our  city  and  State  (if  system  it  may  be 
called,  which  consists  of  an  aggregate  of  independent  works,  construc¬ 
ted  by  private  enterprise,  by  a  great  number  of  independent  associa¬ 
tions,  and  with  very  little  formal  concert  with  one  another)  it  will  be 
necessary  to  advert  to  the  means  of  communication  which  existed  in 
the  Commonwealth  twenty  years  ago,  when  the  first  shovel-full  of 
earth  had  not  been  moved  on  either  of  the  public  railroads  now  in 
existence.  Although  seated  upon  the  sea,  and  furnished  with  a  great 
number  of  excellent  harbors,  which  laid  the  State  open  to  a  ready 
intercourse  with  foreign  countries,  and  with  distant  parts  of  our  own 
country,  Massachusetts  was  almost  destitute  of  the  facilities  of  internal 
navigation.  Large  sums  of  money  had  indeed  been  expended  in  the 
construction  of  the  Middlesex  Canal,  leading  from  Boston  harbor  in  a 
northerly  direction,  nearly  to  the  border  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp¬ 
shire ;  and  in  the  construction  of  locks  for  fostering  a  very  limited 
traffic  by  flat  boats,  on  the  Connecticut  and  Merrimack  rivers.  The 
lines  of  boat  navigation  thus  established  extended  some  distance  into 
New  Hampshire.  But  these  modest  improvements  disappointed  pub- 


lie  expectation,  in  tlie  moderate  degree  of  accommodation  which  they 
afforded,  as  well  as  the  public  spirited  proprietors,  in  the  hope  of  an 
income  on  their  investments  in  them. 

In  the  meantime  improvements  of  another  character,  adverse  to  the 
commercial  interests  of  Massachusetts,  were  curtailing  her  internal 
trade,  and  as  a  necessary  consequence,  depriving  her  of  the  means 
of  sustaining  advantageously  her  extensive  foreign  commerce.  The 
ports  of  Massachusetts  are  situated  upon  bays  so  deeply  indented 
along  the  coast,  that  steam  navigation  could  be  used  to  little  advan¬ 
tage,  as  a  means  of  intercourse  between  one  port  and  another,  or  with 
the  ports  of  distant  States.  At  the  same  time  the  steamers  of  New 
York,  by  their  daily  and  regular  voyages  to  Providence, — to  the  Con¬ 
necticut  river, — to  New  Haven — and  to  those  ports  of  the  Hudson 
river  which  lie  near  the  Western  border  of  the  State,  united  half  the 
State  at  least,  more  intimately  with  that  city,  through  her  greater  facili¬ 
ties  of  commercial  intercourse,  than  with  Boston.  This  intercourse  with 
the  great  commercial  emporium  of  the  country,  at  the  expense  of  our 
own  metropolis,  was  further  aided  by  the  construction  of  the  Black- 
stone  canal,  leading  from  Worcester  to  Providence,  by  which  a  water 
communication  was  opened  between  New  York  and  the  heart  of  the 
Commonwealth,  while  between  Worcester  and  Boston,  no  such  com¬ 
munication  existed.  A  similar  diversion  of  the  trade  of  the  Con¬ 
necticut  river  valley  was  effected,  by  the  opening  of  a  Canal  from 
Northampton  to  New  Haven,  and  by  improvements  in  the  navigation 
of  that  river.  The  Western  part  of  the  State  had  become  so  es¬ 
tranged  from  Eastern  Massachusetts,  for  all  commercial  objects,  that 
no  trader  from  Berkshire  county  had  visited  Boston  for  many  years. 
The  same  causes  were  every  year  extending  the  commercial  relations 
of  New  York  with  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire,  and  consequently 
contracting  those  which  had  long  subsisted  between  those  states  and 
Boston. 

Under  these  circumstances,  some  of  our  citizens  saw  the  necessity 
of  effective  efforts  to  arrest,  if  possible,  the  destiny  which  plainly 
awaited  the  city  of  Boston,  if  left  to  the  undisturbed  operation  of 
these  causes,  upon  her  commercial  position.  Fortunately,  while  a 
portion  of  the  ardent  friends  of  internal  improvement  were  endeavor¬ 
ing  to  excite  the  public,  to  the  Herculean  effort  of  establishing  a  canal 
from  Boston  to  Worcester,  for  the  purpose  of  counteracting  the  effects 
of  the  Blackstone,  already  leading  to  Providence,  and  to  the  still 
more  difficult  task  of  opening  a  line  of  navigation,  by  way  of  Millar’s 
river  to  the  Connecticut,  and  thence,  by  tunnelling  the  Hoosac  moun¬ 
tain  to  the  Hudson,  a  new  light  broke  upon  those  whose  eyes  were 
open  to  behold  it,  in  the  discovery  which  was  at  that  time  made  in 
England,  of  the  adaptation  of  the  railroad ,  to  the  purposes  of  public 
travel,  and  to  the  transportation  of  merchandise  on  public  routes,  as 
entitled  to  take  precedence  of  canal  transportation,  which  had  been 
carried  to  a  great  extent  in  fostering  trade  and  facilitating  intercourse 
in  that  country. 

The  first  clear  comprehension,  of  the  nature  of  this  great  improve¬ 
ment,  afforded  full  conviction  of  its  exact  adaptation  to  the  wants  of 
Massachusetts.  Destitute  of  the  advantages  of  internal  navigation — 


232 


imminently  exposed  to  the  loss  of  her  existing  trade,  from  the  compe¬ 
tition  of  the  City  of  New  York,  which  by  the  advantages  of  her 
position,  with  the  addition  of  her  canals,  and  steam  navigation,  was 
unrivalled  in  the  facilities  of  water  communication — without  any  large 
staples  of  trade,  which  could  give  effective  occupation  to  canals,  had 
there  been  far  less  obstacles  than  actually  existed,  to  their  construc¬ 
tion — and  needing  not  so  much  the  means  of  transport  for  large  masses 
of  produce  and  merchandize,  as  for  the  speedy  conveyance  of  com¬ 
paratively  light  and  miscellaneous  articles,  and  for  persons — the  City 
of  Boston  required  precisely  the  facilities  which  the  railroad  was 
capable  of  affording.  Her  chief  system  of  internal  communication 
then  consisted  of  numerous  lines  of  stage  coaches,  and  baggage  wag¬ 
ons,  employing  some  thousands  of  fine  horses.  The  former  were 
capable  of  performing  a  journey  of  one  hundred  miles  per  day,  by 
the  fatigue  of  eighteen  hours’  travel,  and  the  latter  of  performing  the 
round  trip  of  a  hundred  miles  and  back,  with  four  or  five  tons  of 
merchandise,  once  in  a  fortnight.  These  were  the  rapid  modes  of 
travel  and  transportation.  All  other  modes  were  less  efficient,  and 
more  dilatory,  and  for  either  of  these  a  canal,  if  practicable,  would 
have  been  an  ineffective  substitute. 

But  the  railroad,  imperfect  as  the  conception  of  it  then  was,  (and 
as  it  was  in  fact  some  years  later  even  in  England,  compared  with  its 
present  efficiency,)  promised  to  be  a  substitute  for  all  these  methods 
of  transportation,  far  superior  to  any  other  then  known.  This  con¬ 
viction,  founded  on  the  progress  which  had  already  been  made  in  this 
improvement  in  England,  and  a  faith  in  its  further  advancement,  was 
confirmed  by  the  successful  experiment  of  the  Quincy  Railroad — a 
private  work — three  miles  in  length,  established  in  1836  for  the  trans¬ 
port  of  stone  from  the  granite  quarries  to  the  place  of  shipment,  and 
which  fully  accomplished  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  established. 

It  is  due  to  truth  to  say,  that  the  announcement  of  this  improve¬ 
ment  as  adapted  to  meet  the  wants  of  this  community,  was  received 
by  a  great  portion  of  the  public,  with  surprising  incredulity,  and  the 
efforts  of  its  advocates  to  produce  a  general  conviction  of  its  practica¬ 
bility,  were  resisted  with  a  pertinacity  worthy  of  a  better  cause. 
There  were,  indeed,  many  early  converts  to  the  belief  of  its  efficacy ; 
but  the  belief  was  slowly  embraced  by  the  class  of  persons  who  were 
possessed  of  the  means  of  testing  their  convictions  by  actual  experi¬ 
ment,  on  a  scale  broad  enough  to  give  it  general  confidence,  and  to 
introduce  it  into  practical  use. 

After  much  discussion  of  the  subject  in  the  public  journals,  and  in 
pamphlets,  the  Massachusetts  Legislature,  as  early  as  the  year  1827, 
authorized  the  appointment  of  a  Board  of  Commissioners,  to  cause 
surveys  to  be  made,  of  the  most  practicable  routes  for  a  railroad  from 
Boston  to  the  Hudson  River,  at  or  near  Albany.  The  Commission¬ 
ers  appointed  under  this  authority  made  an  exploration  of  the  most 
difficult  parts  of  the  prominent  routes,  and  a  large  part  of  the  route 
deemed  most  eligible  was  surveyed.  The  next  Legislature  author¬ 
ized  the  appointment  of  a  Board  of  Directors  of  Internal  Improve¬ 
ment,  consisting  of  twelve  members,  and  appropriated  a  fund  to  pay 
the  expenses  of  surveys  and  plans.  Under  the  direction  of  this  Board, 


233 


the  surveys  deemed  necessary  for  the  selection  of  the  most  eligible 
route  for  a  railroad  from  Boston  to  the  Hudson  River,  and  three 
entire  routes  from  Boston  to  Providence,  were  thoroughly  surveyed, 
and  reports  thereon  were  submitted  to  the  Legislature,  and  published 
in  the  winter  of  1829,  accompanied  with  a  recommendation  to  make 
a  commencement  of  railroads  on  both  these  routes  at  the  charge  of 
the  Commonwealth. 

The  Legislature  however  declined  to  make  any  appropriation  of 
public  money,  on  the  recommendation  of  this  board,  or  on  resolutions 
offered  by  committees  in  the  succeeding  sessions,  either  for  undertak¬ 
ing  the  construction  of  railroads  on  the  public  account,  or  for  co-oper¬ 
ating  with  private  corporations,  to  be  established  for  the  purpose. 
Several  private  charters  were  granted,  without  the  subscription  of  any 
stock  on  public  account,  or  other  pecuniary  aid,  which  failed  for  want 
of  the  necessary  confidence  for  raising  subscriptions  to  the  stock. 

At  length  in  the  summer  session  of  1831,  the  Boston  and  Provi¬ 
dence,  and  the  Boston  and  Worcester  Railroad  Corporations  were  es¬ 
tablished,  and  the  charter  of  the  Boston  and  Lowell  granted  the 
preceding  year,  being  amended,  these  companies  were  organized  by 
the  subscription  of  the  required  amount  of  capital — the  Worcester 
conditionally,  with  the  reservation  of  the  right  of  the  subscribers  to 
withdraw,  on  receiving  the  report  of  definitive  surveys  and  estimates 
— and  the  surveys  of  the  three  roads  were  vigorously  prosecuted 
during  the  season.  The  charter  of  the  Boston  and  Worcester  road 
was  the  first,  which  contained  the  express  grant  of  authority  to  trans¬ 
port  persons  and  merchandise  on  account  of  the  corporation,  and  to 
purchase  and  hold  locomotive  engines  and  cars. 

In  1832  the  work  of  construction  was  actively  prosecuted  on  these 
three  roads,  the  report  to  the  subscribers  in  the  Boston  and  Worces¬ 
ter,  having  been  accepted,  and  the  conditional  subscriptions  to  the 
stock  made  absolute.  A  great  part  of  the  stock  in  the  Boston  and 
Providence  company  was  taken  originally  by  New  York  capitalists, 
and  much  of  that  of  the  Boston  and  Lowell,  by  proprietors  in  the 
manufacturing  establishments  at  Lowell.  The  stock  of  the  Boston 
and  Worcester  was  taken  chiefly  not  by  capitalists,  but  by  men  of 
business,  desirous  of  promoting  the  establishment  of  a  Western  Rail¬ 
road,  which  should  extend  ultimately  through  the  State  to  the  Hud¬ 
son  River.  They  deemed  such  an  improvement  essential  to  the 
welfare  of  the  State,  and  they  proceeded  under  the  conviction  that  if 
their  subscriptions  should  prove  unproductive  as  investments  of  capi¬ 
tal,  they  would,  as  members  of  the  community,  be  indemnified  for  the 
loss,  by  their  share  in  the  public  benefit  of  the  enterprise. 

The  Boston  and  Worcester  road  was  partially  opened  to  public 
travel  in  April,  1834.  On  this  occasion  the  use  of  locomotive  engines 
was  introduced  for  the  first  time  in  New  England.  This  road  was 
opened  throughout,  from  Boston  to  Worcester,  July  4,  1835.  The 
Boston  and  Providence  road  was  opened  in  part  in  June,  1834,  and 
throughout  in  June,  1835.  The  Boston  and  Lowell  was  opened 
throughout  in  June,  1835. 

This  was  the  commencement  of  the  Massachusetts  system  of  rail¬ 
roads.  These  three  works  were  thus  the  pioneer  railroads  in  New 

30 


234 


England.  No  other  works  of  the  kind  were  attempted  in  the  New 
England  States,  until  the  success  of  these  had  been  tested  by  their 
actual  use,  with  the  exception  of  the  Norwich  and  Worcester,  which 
was  begun  in  1835.  These  railroads  were  built  by  engineers  who 
iiad  never  seen  the  English  works,  and  although  they  adopted  for  the 
most  part  the  general  principles  on  which  those  roads  were  constructed, 
they  did  not  blindly  copy  from  them,  but  modified  their  respective 
works  in  many  particulars,  to  adapt  them  to  their  difference  of  situa¬ 
tion,  arising  from  differences  of  locality,  as  well  as  of  the  amount  of 
population  and  business.  Several  of  these  differences  of  plan  consisted 
in  the  adoption  of  a  single  track  in  the  first  instance,  and  in  retaining 
it  in  all  cases  so  long  as  the  traffic  should  be  insufficient  to  pay  a  fair 
income  on  the  cost  of  a  double  one — the  avoidance  of  Tunnels,  and 
very  expensive  cutting,  except  in  cases  of  necessity,  by  admitting  of 
higher  grades — and  the  adoption  of  cross  tiers  of  wood  in  lieu  of  stone 
blocks.  The  wooden  cross  tiers  are  now,  we  believe,  generally 
adopted  in  England,  as  preferable  to  stone,  without  reference  to  the 
difference  of  cost.  The  rails  have  been  for  the  most  part  imported 
from  England,  but  they  have  been  in  most  cases  rolled  to  a  pattern 
prescribed  from  this  country,  often  deviating  from  the  form  in  general 
use  in  England.  The  locomotives  first  used  were  for  the  most  part 
imported  from  England,  but  for  some  years  past  they  have  been  almost 
exclusively  manufactured  in  this  country.  Their  form  of  construction 
has  been  based  in  general  upon  English  patterns,  but  often  with  con¬ 
siderable  modifications,  partly  for  adapting  them  to  working  on  higher 
grades.  One  of  the  locomotives  introduced  upon  the  Boston  and 
Worcester  road  within  the  first  year  from  its  opening,  was  built  in 
Boston,  and  it  proved  to  be  a  valuable  engine.  Those  manufactured 
in  this  country  are  believed  to  be  fully  equal  to  those  which  have  been 
imported,  and  there  is  no  deficiency  of  engines  of  superior  workman¬ 
ship. 

We  cannot  attempt  here  either  to  trace  the  history  of  the  railroads 
now  in  operation  in  the  State,  or  to  give  a  particular  description  of 
any  of  them.  All  we  can  do  is  to  present  an  enumeration  of  the 
different  works,  classified  in  such  manner  as  to  show  the  several 
routes  of  communication  of  which  they  constitute  the  parts.  This 
enumeration  is  accompanied  with  a  statement  of  the  length  and  the 
cost  of  each  road,  and  the  amount  of  income  derived  from  each,  dur¬ 
ing  the  year  1850,  together  with  the  aggregate  extent,  cost  and  income 
of  them  all.  We  subjoin  also  a  statement  of  the  works  of  a  similar 
character  beyond  the  limits  of  the  State  constructed  for  the  purpose 
of  extending  the  several  lines  of  communication,  in  various  directions, 
where  there  has  appeared  to  be  such  a  demand  for  them  as  to  encour¬ 
age  parties  to  undertake  them. 

There  are  at  this  time  seven  distinct  railroads,  which  take  their 
departure  from  different  points  within  the  City  of  Boston,  all  estab¬ 
lished  by  private  corporations,  and  entirely  independent  of  one  anoth¬ 
er,  and  diverging  irregularly  to  all  the  points  of  the  compass,  except 
on  that  side  which  fronts  on  the  ocean.  These  seven  roads  are  the 
main  trunks  on  which  are  engrafted  all  the  railroads  in  the  State. 
The  supplementary  roads  are  in  part  extensions  of  the  main  trunks, 


235 


and  in  part  lateral  branches,  designed  for  extending  the  benefits  of 
the  improvement  over  a  wider  space.  All  these  roads  are  constructed 
upon  a  uniform  gauge  of  four  feet  ten  and  a  half  inches,  and  conse¬ 
quently  carriages,  entered  upon  any  part  of  either  of  the  lines,  may 
be  transmitted  thereon  to  Boston,  or  to  the  farthest  extremity  of  the 
line,  or  of  either  of  its  branches. 

Each  of  the  seven  lines  extends  to  the  limits  of  the  State,  and 
with  the  exception  of  one,  which  terminates  by  branches  at  several 
points  on  the  sea,  they  all  connect  with  other  railroads,  held  under 
charters  from  the  adjoining  States,  by  which  they  are  extended 
through  those  States,  and  in  several  instances  through  the  next  ad¬ 
joining  States.  We  enumerate  them  in  their  order,  beginning  at  the 
southeastern  part  of  the  city. 

1st.  old  colony  line. 

This  line  departs  from  the  station  at  the  corner  of  Kneeland  and 
South  streets,  and  proceeds  through  South  Boston,  and  through  some 
of  the  principal  manufacturing  towns  of  Norfolk  and  Plymouth  coun¬ 
ties,  to  Plymouth.  By  the  South  Shore  Road,  branching  on  the  left, 
it  visits  the  seaport  towns  of  Weymouth,  Hingham  and  Cohasset,  and 
by  the  Fall  River  Road,  diverging  on  the  right,  it  proceeds  through 
Bridgewater  to  Fall  River,  where  it  connects  with  a  daily  line  of 
steamers  by  way  of  Newport  to  New  York.  An  express  train  runs  in 
connexion  with  the  steamboat  line.  By  the  Cape  Cod  Branch  diverg¬ 
ing  again  on  the  left  from  the  Fall  River  Road,  the  line  proceeds  to 
Sandwich,  in  Barnstable  County,  whence  it  is  likely  to  be  shortly 
extended  to  the  south  side  of  the  Cape,  at  Hyannis,  where  it  will  be 
the  nearest  point  on  the  continent,  from  which  a  communication  can 


be  maintained  with  Nantucket, 
works  : 

The  line 

consists  of 

the  following 

Name  of  Company. 

Miles. 

Cost. 

Rev.  1850. 

Old  Colony,  ----- 

37T 

$2,293,535 

$296,171 

Dorchester  and  Milton  Branch, 

2f 

132,172 

South  Shore, . 

Bridgewater  Branch,  ... 

Ti 

420,438 

Pall  Kiver,  ----- 

42¥ 

27} 

1,068,167 

210,081 

Cape  Cod  Branch,  -  -  -  - 

626,543 

56,556 

Total,  - 

127f 

$4,540,270 

$563,108 

All  the  branches  of  this  line 

terminate 

within  the 

State.  The 

Bridgewater  Branch  belongs  to  the  Old  Colony  Company,  and  its  cost 
is  embraced  in  that  of  the  main  road.  The  revenue  of  roads  not  sep¬ 
arately  stated  in  the  table,  is  included  in  that  of  the  Old  Colony,  to 
which  Company  these  roads  are  leased.  Eleven  and  a  half  miles  of 
the  Old  Colony  Road  consist  of  a  double  track,  and  the  residue,  to¬ 
gether  with  the  other  roads  of  this  line,  of  single  track. 

2d.  providence,  or  southern  line. 

This  line  takes  its  departure  from  the  station  on  Pleasant  street, 
near  the  bottom  of  the  Common,  and  proceeds  in  a  southerly  direction 
to  Providence,  where  it  connects  with  the  Stonington  road,  and  pro- 


236 


ceeds  diagonally  through  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  to  Stonington  in 
Connecticut.  It.  there  connects  with  a  second  daily  steamboat  line  to 
New  York,  it  being  the  Southern  Steamboat  Mail  Line.  An  express 
train  runs  between  Boston  and  Stonington  in  connexion  with  the 
steamboat  line,  without  exchange  of  carriages.  The  line  diverges  on 
the  left,  half  way  between  Boston  and  Providence,  to  New  Bedford, 
from  which  latter  point  there  is  a  line  of  steam  communication  with 
Nantucket.  It  connects  near  Providence  with  the  Providence  and 
Worcester  road,  and  enters  the  city  of  Providence  on  a  track  by  the 
side  of  that  road.  Near  Boston,  a  branch  of  the  Boston  and  Provi¬ 
dence  road  diverges  from  the  main  line  on  the  right  to  Dedham,  and 
at  that  point  it  connects  with  the  Norfolk  County  road,  which  termi¬ 
nates  at  Blackstone,  in  Worcester  County.  The  several  parts  of  this 
line  are  as  follows : 


Boston  and  Providence,  - 

41 

$3,370,270 

$370,727 

Dedham  and  other  Branches, 

12 

Stoughton  Branch,  - 

4 

93,433 

6,423 

Taunton  Branch,  - 

11 

307,136 

57,606 

New  Bedford  and  Taunton, 

20 

498,752 

93,043 

Norfolk  County,  - 

26 

1,060.990 

57,840 

Providence  and  Worcester,  in  Mass., 

25 £ 

923,288 

101,375 

Total  in  Mass., 

139£ 

$6,253,869 

$687,014 

PARTS  OUT 

OF  THE 

STATE. 

Providence  and  Worcester,  in  R.  I., 

18 

901,508 

101,376 

Sixteen  miles  of  the  Boston  and  Providence,  and  five  of  the  Provi¬ 
dence  and  Worcester  roads,  have  a  double  track.  The  residue  of  this 
line  consist's  of  single  track  roads,  the  trains  thereon  being  so  arranged 
and  running  with  such  regularity  that  they  meet  at  the  stations,  so  as 
rarely  to  occasion  the  delay  of  either  train. 

8d.  WORCESTER,  OR  WESTERN  LINE. 

This  line  begins  at  the  passenger  station  at  the  corner  of  Lincoln 
and  Beach  streets,  opposite  to  the  United  States  Hotel,  and  at  the 
freight  station,  bordering  on  the  harbor,  and  by  means  of  a  depression 
of  eight  feet  in  the  grade  of  the  road,  it  crosses  the  city,  passing  un¬ 
der  three  of  the  principal  avenues,  and  thus  reaches  the  back  bay,  and 
the  basin  of  the  Mill  Dam  Corporation,  which  it  crosses,  and  reaches 
the  country  without  interrupting  any  street. 

The  main  line,  consisting  of  the  Boston  &  Worcester  and  Western 
roads,  passes  westerly  through  Worcester,  Springfield  and  Pittsfield, 
traversing  the  whole  length  of  the  State,  to  the  city  of  Albany,  200 
miles.  In  this  distance  it  follows  the  course  of  several  of  the  head 
waters  of  the  State  to  their  sources,  and  crosses  the  summits  which 
divide  all  the  principal  rivers  in  the  State,  with  but  one  tunnel,  and 
with  no  grade  so  steep  as  materially  to  retard  the  travel  of  the  most 
rapid  trains.  Two  daily  passenger  trains  run  between  Boston  and 
Albany,  and  large  quantities  of  merchandise  are  transported  over  the 
whole  line. 

At  Worcester  the  Norwich  and  Worcester  road  diverges  from  this 
line  in  a  southerly  direction,  and  proceeds  to  Norwich  and  Allyn’s 


237 


Point,  where  it  connects  with  the  third  daily  steamboat  line  running 
to  New  York.  Express  trains  from  Boston  without  change  of  cars 
connect  with  this  line.  The  distance  from  Boston  to  Allyn’s  Point, 
110  miles,  is  usually  travelled  in  four  hours.  The  passage  between 
Boston  and  New  York  is  usually  made,  in  each  direction,  between  5 
o’clock,  P.  M.,  and  7  o’clock,  A.  M.  At  Worcester  the  line  connects, 
also,  on  the  right,  with  the  Worcester  &  Nashua  road,  which  comes  in 
from  the  north,  and  forms  a  connexion  with  all  the  northern,  north¬ 
eastern,  and  northwestern  routes. 

At  Springfield  this  line  connects  with  the  New  Haven  and  Hart¬ 
ford  railroad,  which  there  diverges  on  the  left,  and  by  means  of  this 
and  the  New  York  and  New  Haven  road,  it  forms  a  continuous  line 
to  the  city  of  New  York.  On  this  line  two  daily  express  trains  run 
between  Boston  and  New  York,  the  distance  being  240  miles,  and 
the  journey  is  performed  in  about  9  hours.  The  morning  train  on 
this  line  conveys  the  great  Southern  land  mail .  From  this  line,  also, 
at  Springfield,  the  Connecticut  Fiver  road  diverges  on  the  right,  and 
runs  chiefly  on  the  western  bank  of  the  Connecticut  River,  to  North¬ 
ampton  and  Greenfield,  and  to  the  border  of  Vermont.  It  there  con¬ 
nects  with  other  railroads  which  follow  the  western  bank  of  the  Con¬ 
necticut,  to  within  50  miles  of  the  Canada  border,  and  at  different 
points  it  forms  a  connexion  with  all  the  lines  of  railroad  in  Vermont 
and  New  Hampshire, 

This  line  of  railroad  is  also  united,  at  Palmer,  with  the  New  Lon¬ 
don  and  Willimantic  road,  which  passes  through  Connecticut ;  at  Pitts¬ 
field  with  the  North  Adams  road,  and  also  with  the  Stockbridge,  Berk¬ 
shire,  and  Housatonic,  which  latter  traverses  the  State  of  Connecticut ; 
and  at  the  State  line  it  connects  with  the  Berkshire,  and  the  Hudson 
and  Berkshire  roads.  The  following  are  the  several  parts  of  the 
line : 


Boston  &  Worcester,  ... 

44f 

$4,882,148 

Six  Branches,  ...  - 

24 

Western, . 

117  4-5 

8,032,814  ) 

Providence  &  North  Adams, 

18i 

443,678  ) 

Norwich  &  Worcester,  in  Mass., 

20 

772,106 

Worcester  &  Nashua,  ... 

40 

1,282,691 

Fitchburg  &  Worcester, 

14 

259.074 

New  London  &  Palmer,  in  Mass., 

10 

180,000 

Connecticut  River,  ... 

50 

1,798,825 

Hartford  &  New  Haven, 

6 

215,808 

Stockbridge  and  Pittsfield, 

22f 

448,700 

West  Stockbridge,  ... 

2! 

41,516 

Berkshire,  ----- 

21 

600,000 

Total,  ...  - 

39l£ 

$18,959,367 

out  or 

THE  STATE. 

Albany  and  West  Stockbridge, 
Norwich  &  Worcester  in  Conn., 

38  1-5 

1,930,895 

46 

1,826,408 

Har.  &  N.  H.  in  Conn., 

56 

2,534,000 

N.  London  and  P.  in  Conn., 

55f 

1,155,000 

Wor.  &  Nash,  in  N.  H., 

4 

127,506 

Total,  - 

204 

$7,577,809 

$757,947 


1,369,514 

87,086 

123,479 

19,159 

10,000 

191,587 

36,000 

31,409 

1,823 

42,000 


$2,670,004 


174,173 

414,757 

69,400 

29,959 


$688,289 


The  Albany  and  West  Stockbridge  was  built  by  the  Western  Rail 


238 


road  Company  of  this  State,  at  their  exclusive  cost,  and  it  is  managed 
by  them  as  a  part  of  the  Western  road,  as  is  also  the  Pittsfield  and 
North  Adams.  The  stock  of  the  Worcester  and  Nashua  road  is 
owned  chiefly  in  Massachusetts  ;  that  of  the  roads  which  terminate  in 
Connecticut  is  held  but  partially  in  this  State. 

4tH.  FITCHBURG,  OR  WEST-NORTH-WESTERN  LINE. 


Income. 

Miles. 

Cost. 

1850. 

Fitchburg,  - 
Branches,  - 
Lexington  and  W.  C., 

- 

-  51  1 

15  f 

$3,552,283 

$551,607 

- 

6* 

212,161 

Peterborough  and  S.,  - 

- 

14 

272,647 

Harvard  Branch, 

Vermont  and  Mass.,  - 

m  m 

£ 

3 

26,223 

- 

67 

3,192,051 

177,695 

Cheshire,  in  Mass., 

- 

-  Hi 

2,739,318 

208,414 

1651 

$10,024,643 

$937,716 

OUT 

OF  THE  STATE. 

Vt.  and  Mass.,  in  N.  H., 

• 

10 

Cheshire,  - 

- 

-  521 

42^ 

The  branch  railroads  connected  with  this  line,  are  worked  by  the 
Fitchburg  company,  and  their  income  is  included  in  the  statement  of 
revenue  of  that  road.  The  stock  of  the  Vermont  and  Massachusetts, 
and  the  Cheshire  Roads  is  in  a  great  proportion  owned  in  this  State ; 
and,  as  we  have  no  means  of  distributing  either  the  cost  or  the  income 
of  the  parts  between  the  portions  in  and  out  of  the  State,  the  whole 
of  these  items  is  given  above  with  the  Massachusetts  portion. 

This  line  takes  its  departure  from  the  Fitchburg  station,  near  the 
Warren  Bridge,  and  runs  first  in  a  westerly,  and  then  in  a  north¬ 
westerly  course,  approaching  near  to  the  Boston  and  Worcester  Road 
at  Waltham,  and  thence  passing  through  Concord  to  Fitchburg ;  it  pro¬ 
ceeds  thence  by  the  Vermont  and  Massachusetts  Road,  to  Greenfield, 
and  to  Brattleborough,  in  Vermont.  From  the  latter  place,  the  line  is 
continued  by  the  Vermont  Valley  Railroad,  which  extends  to  Bellows 
Falls,  and  there  connects  with  the  Rutland  and  Burlington  Road. 

A  branch  of  this  line  is  formed  by  the  Cheshire  Railroad,  which 
diverges  from  the  Vermont  and  Massachusetts,  at  a  point  eleven  miles 
above  Fitchburg,  and  proceeds  by  way  of  Keene  to  Bellows  Falls, 
whence  the  line  is  continued  by  the  Rutland  and  Burlington,  by  way 
of  Chester,  Rutland,  Brandon  and  Middlebury,  to  Burlington — the 
distance  from  Boston  being  233  miles.  Here  the  line  of  travel  con¬ 
nects  writh  the  steamboat  line  on  Lake  Champlain.  At  Bellows 
Falls,  a  diverging  line  on  the  right,  consisting  of  the  Sullivan  Rail¬ 
road,  proceeds  to  Windsor,  the  lower  terminus  of  the  Vermont 
Central  Railroad.  There  is  also  a  diverging  line  on  the  left,  from 
Rutland  to  Castleton,  and  thence  to  Whitehall,  at  the  upper  extremity 
of  Lake  Champlain.  It  there  connects  with  the  Saratoga  and 
Washington  Road,  which  at  its  southern  extremity  unites  with  the 
lines  leading  from  Troy  and  Schenectady.  This  line  forms  an  eligible 
and  expeditious  route  from  Boston  to  Saratoga  Springs,  by  which  the 


239 


journey  is  made  in  ten  hours  to  Saratoga,  and  in  twelve  to  Schen¬ 
ectady. 


5TH.  LOWELL,  OR  NORTH-WESTERN  LINE. 


Boston  and  Lowell,  - 
Woburn  Branch,  - 

:  Iff 

$1,945,647 

$406,421 

Nashua  and  Lowell,  in  Mass., 

4 

651,215 

129,617 

Stony  Brook,  - 

13 

265,526 

16,189 

Total,  ... 

50 

$2,862,388 

$552,227 

OUT  OF  THE  STATE. 

Nashua  and  Lowell,  5  miles,  cost  and  income  included  above. 


This  is  the  shortest  line  in  the  State,  of  the  Railroads  proceeding 
from  Boston ;  but  it  has  a  large  extension  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
State,  by  Railroads  built  in  great  part  by  proprietors  residing  within 
the  State,  and  which  sustain  important  lines  of  travel  terminating  in 
Boston.  This  line  begins  at  the  Lowell  Railroad  station,  in  the 
north-eastern  part  of  the  city,  and  proceeds  through  East  Cambridge 
and  Medford  to  the  city  of  Lowell.  It  has  a  short  branch  at  Wo¬ 
burn,  and  it  formerly  composed  a  part  of  the  Boston  and  Maine  line, 
which  united  with  it  at  a  distance  of  14  miles  from  the  city.  That 
connexion  has  been  dissolved,  and  the  Maine  Road  enters  the  city  by 
an  independent  line.  From  Lowell,  the  line  is  continued  by  the 
Nashua  and  Lowell  Road  to  Nashville.  To  this  point,  the  line  con¬ 
sists  of  a  double  track.  The  line  is  thence  extended  by  the  Concord 
Railroad  along  the  valley  of  the  Merrimack  river,  35  miles,  to  Con¬ 
cord,  the  Capital  of  New  Hampshire,  and  thence  by  the  northern,  82 
miles,  to  the  Connecticut  river  in  Lebanon.  It  there  crosses  the 
Connecticut,  and  unites  with  the  Vermont  Central  Railroad  at  the 
mouth  of  White  river.  This  Road,  which  begins  at  Windsor,  on 
the  Connecticut  river,  14  miles  below  this  point  of  junction,  and  at 
the  terminus  of  the  Sullivan  Railroad  above  mentioned,  continues  the 
line  along  the  valley  of  the  White  river,  by  way  of  Royalton  to  the 
summit  of  the  Green  Mountain,  and  thence  by  Northfield  to  Mont¬ 
pelier,  the  Capital  of  Vermont.  Thence  it  pursues  the  valley  of 
Onion,  or  Winoosky  river,  to  Burlington,  245  miles  from  Boston. 
From  Burlington,  or  rather  from  Essex,  six  and  a  half  miles  east 
from  Burlington,  the  Vermont  Central  Road  is  met  by  the  Vermont 
and  Canada  Railroad,  by  which  the  line  is  extended  to  Rouse’s 
Point,  where  it  crosses  Lake  Champlain,  near  its  outlet.  It  is  thence 
extended  by  the  Champlain  and  Montreal  Railroad  to  the  St.  Law¬ 
rence,  near  Montreal,  which  city  it  reaches  in  a  distance  of  326  miles 
from  Boston.  It  is  continued  also  from  Rouse’s  Point,  over  the  North¬ 
ern  Railroad  of  New  York,  to  the  town  of  Ogdensburgh,  at  the  foot 
of  navigation  on  Lake  Ontario,  a  distance  of  403  miles  from  Boston. 

In  addition  to  these  extensive  lines  of  Railroad,  all  connected  with 
the  Boston  and  Lowell  as  the  main  trunk,  there  are  several  other 
diverging  lines  of  some  importance.  Among  these  are  the  Boston, 
Concord,  and  Montreal.  This  Road,  destined  as  its  name  imports,  to 
reach  the  city  of  Montreal,  but  by  a  very  different  route  from  either 
of  those  already  described,  proceeds  from  Concord  along  the  eastern 


/ 


240 


branch  of  the  Merrimack  river,  and  by  the  outlet  of  Winnipiseogee 
Lake,  to  Meredith,  and  thence  by  Plymouth  to  Warren,  a  distance  of 
71  miles.  It  will  be  in  a  short  time  further  extended,  and  probably 
united  with  the  Atlantic  and  St.  Lawrence,  now  in  progress  from 
Portland  to  Montreal.  Another  branch  of  this  general  route  diverges 
from  the  main  line  at  the  mouth  of  White  river,  and  passes  over 
the  Connecticut  and  Passumpsic  River  Railroad,  which  follows  the 
course,  first  of  the  Connecticut,  and  then  of  the  Passumpsic  to  St. 
Johnsbury,  a  distance  of  61  miles.  It  is  intended  to  extend  it  thence 
to  the  Canada  line,  near  Lake  Memphremagog,  and  thence  to  some 
point  of  junction  with  the  St.  Lawrence  and  Atlantic  Railroad  in 
Canada. 

There  are  two  other  Railroads  connected  with  this  general  line, 
leading  westwardly  from  Concord,  which  are  yet  unfinished,  viz  :  the 
Concord  and  Claremont,  which  is  opened  for  a  distance  of  25  miles 
to  Bradford,  and  the  Contoocook  Valley  Railroad,  which  is  opened 
about  an  equal  distance  through  Ilenniker  to  Hillsborough  Bridge. 
These  several  Railroads,  together  with  the  Nashville  and  Milford, 
already  opened,  form  an  aggregate  length  connected  with  this  line, 
of  632  miles. 


6th.  boston 

AND 

MAINE,  OR 

NORTHERN  LINE. 

Name  of  Company. 

- 

Miles. 

Cost. 

Inc.  1850. 

Boston  and  Maine,  - 

- 

- 

37 

$4,021,606 

$594,263 

South  Reading  Branch,  - 

• 

* 

8 

231,601 

717,543 

Manchester  and  Lawrence, 

. 

- 

5 

Lowell  and  Lawrence, 

- 

- 

12 

333,254 

Grand  Junction, 

- 

- 

6 

678,116 

Total, 

- 

- 

68 

$5,981,533 

$594,263 

OUT 

or 

THE  STATE. 

Boston  and  Maine,  - 

- 

. 

37I 

Branches,  - 

- 

- 

si 

28j 

Manchester  and  Lawrence, 

- 

- 

671 

*  \ 

About  half  the  Boston  and  Maine  Railroad,  and  the  greater  part 
of  the  Manchester  and  Lawrence  are  without  the  limits  of  the  State. 
As  we  have  no  rule  for  the  division  of  the  cost  and  income,  it  is  all 
placed  in  the  above  table  with  the  Massachusetts  portion,  a  great  part 
of  the  stock  being  owned  here. 

This  line  of  Railroads  begins  at  the  Boston  and  Maine  station,  in 
Ilaymarket  square,  in  the  northerly  part  of  the  city,  and  proceeds  by 
way  of  Andover,  Lawrence,  Haverhill,  Exeter,  and  Dover,  to  Great 
Falls,  and  to  the  junction  with  the  Eastern  Road  in  Berwick.  It 
connects  at  Dover  with  the  Cocheco  Railroad,  leading  to  Winnipiseo- 
gee  Lake,  and  at  Great  Falls  with  the  Great  Falls  and  Conway 
Railroad.  It  forms  one  of  the  great  lines  of  travel  between  Boston 
and  Portland,  and  receives  a  great  number  of  passengers  from  the 
large  manufacturing  towns  through  which  it  passes.  By  means  of 
the  Manchester  and  Lawrence  Road,  it  furnishes  a  second  Railroad 
route  to  Concord,  in  New  Hampshire,  and  thereby  forms  a  connexion 


241 


with  the  great  north-western  lines  above  described.  Besides  the 
union  of  this  line  with  the  Portsmouth,  Saco  and  Portland  Railroad 
at  Berwick,  it  will,  on  the  completion  of  the  York  and  Cumberland 
Road,  form  another  route  to  Portland. 


7th.  north-eastern  line. 


Eastern,  in  Mass.,  - 
Gloucester  Branch,  - 

•  • 

-  38  1-5 

-  13  1-2  1 

$3,120,392 

$589,076 

Marblehead  Branch, 
Salisbury  Branch,  - 

•  0 

-  3  f 

-  3  1-2  ) 

Salem  and  Lowell, 

_  O 

-  17 

316,943 

15,505 

Essex,  - 

•  m 

-  20 

537,869 

47,383 

Total,  - 

OUT 

-  95  1-5 

OP  THE  STATE. 

$3,975,204 

1 

$651,964 

Eastern,  in  N.  H.,  - 

«  m 

-  16 

493,883 

This  line  takes  its  departure  from  the  station  on  the  Eastern  Rail¬ 
road  wharf,  whence  the  passengers  are  transported  by  a  steam  ferry 
specially  appropriated  to  the  railroad,  to  a  similar  wharf  at  East 
Boston,  from  which  place  the  railroad  trains  take  their  departure. 
The  main  line  passes  through  Lynn,  Salem,  Ipswich  and  Newbury- 
port,  to  Portsmouth,  and  proceeds  thence  by  the  Portsmouth,  Saco 
and  Portland  Railroad,  to  Portland,  thence  by  the  Kennebeck  Rail¬ 
road  to  Brunswick,  Bath  and  Richmond.  This  railroad  will  shortly 
be  completed  through  Gardiner  and  Hallowell,  to  Augusta,  the  Capi¬ 
tal  of  Maine,  a  distance  of  166  miles  from  Boston.  The  line  diverges 
by  branches  to  Marblehead,  Gloucester,  and  Amesbury,  in  Massachu¬ 
setts  ;  and  by  an  independent  line  to  Georgetown.  At  Portsmouth, 
it  connects  with  the  Portsmouth  and  Concord  Railroad,  which  is  yet 
opened  but  little  more  than  half  its  length. 

At  Portland  commences  the  Atlantic  and  St.  Lawrence  Railroad, 
which  is  stretching  its  course  towards  Montreal,  in  the  expectation 
that  it  will  shortly  be  united  with  the  St.  Lawrence  and  Atlantic, 
which  is  advancing  by  a  vigorous  effort  of  the  people  of  Canada,  to 
meet  it  at  the  Canada  frontier.  This  road  is  already  open  91  miles 
to  Gorham,  N.  H,,  at  the  base  of  Mount  Washington.  The  Atlantic 
portion  of  the  same  line  has  been  for  some  time  open  from  Montreal 
to  St.  Hyacinthe.  In  connection  with  this  line,  the  Androscoggin  and 
Kennebeck  Railroad  is  already  open,  from  its  junction  at  Danville, 
27  miles  from  Portland,  to  Waterville,  on  the  Kennebeck  River,  20 
miles  above  Augusta,  and  82  miles  from  Portland.  The  line  will 
doubtless  be  further  extended  to  the  Penobscot  River,  at  Bangor,  and 
ultimately  to  the  adjoining  provinces  of  New  Brunswick  and  Nova 
Scotia,  should  the  enterprise  already  strongly  encouraged,  of  the 
European  and  St.  Lawrence  Railroad,  be  carried  into  execution. 
There  is  also  in  operation  another  branch  of  this  line,  13  miles  in 
length,  running  from  Mechanic  Falls  to  Buckfield. 

This  enumeration  will  serve  to  show,  to  what  extent  the  people  of 
the  Commonwealth  are  accommodated  with  the  means  of  internal 
communication,  and  of  intercourse  with  the  neighboring  States,  and 


31 


242 


with  the  more  distant  parts  of  the  country.  For  the  purpose  of 
showing  the  aggregate  extent  of  railroad,  and  also  the  amount  of  cost, 
as  well  as  that  of  their  annual  income,  which  is  the  best  test  of  their 
utility,  we  present  the  following  recapitulation.  The  statement  of 
income  is  that  of  1850.  There  has  been  an  increase  on  most  of  the 
lines,  perhaps  all,  the  present  year. 


Old  Colony  Line, 
Providence  do 
Worcester  do 
Fitchburg  do 
Lowell  do 
Bost.&  Maine  do 
Eastern  do 


Miles  of 

Cost  to 

Road. 

Jan.  1,  1851. 

Income. 

127  3-4 

4,540.270 

563,108 

139  1-2 

6,253.869 

687,014 

391  1-4 

18,959.367 

2,670.004 

165  1-2 

10,024.643 

937,716 

50 

2,862.388 

552.227 

68 

5,981.533 

594,263 

105  1-5 

4,082.029 

651,964 

1,047  1-5 

$52,704,099 

66,656,296 

In  this  statement  are  not  included  the  length  and  cost  of  the  Albany 
and  West  Stockbridge  road,  built  exclusively  by  the  Western  Com¬ 
pany  of  this  State,  and  portions  out  of  the  State,  of  certain  others 
which  begin  in  the  State,  some  of  which  belong  almost  exclusively 
to  proprietors  residing  within  the  State.  If  we  increase  the  above 
aggregate  by  the  addition  of  these  items,  it  gives  for  the  entire  length 
of  railroads  situated  in  whole  or  in  part  in  Massachusetts,  an  extent 
of  railroads  of  1411  1-5  miles,  at  an  aggregate  cost  of  $60,992,183, 
affording  a  gross  income,  in  1850,  of  $7,445,961.  The  stock  of  such 
of  these  roads  as  extend  into  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island,  is  owned 
in  great  measure  by  proprietors  residing  in  those  States,  and  in  New 
York. 

This  statement  embraces  no  part  of  the  works,  or  of  their  cost  and 
income,  included  in  the  foregoing  statement,  which  are  situated  wholly 
without  the  limits  of  Massachusetts.  Several  of  these  are  owned  by 
companies  of  large  capital,  the  proprietors  of  which  are  residents  of 
this  State,  and  some  of  them  are-  in  great  part  owned  elsewhere.  It 
would  extend  this  article  to  too  great  a  length  to  attempt  a  description 
of  the  whole.  We  present,  however,  a  table  of  some  of  the  principal 
companies,  with  the  length  and  cost  of  their  respective  roads,  includ¬ 
ing  only  such  as  are  in  actual  operation,  and  are  connected  with  the 
lines  of  railroad  above  enumerated,  which  terminate  in  Boston. 


Rutland  &  Burlington, 

Rutland  &  Washington, 
Sullivan,  .... 
Nashua  &  Concord, 

N.  H.  Northern,  ... 
Vermont  Central, 

Vermont  &  Canada,  - 
New  York  Northern,  - 
Conn.  &  Passumpsic,  - 
Concord  &  Claremont, 
Contoocook, 

Concord  &  Montreal,  - 
Portsmouth  &  Concord, 
Cocheco,  -  -  - 

Portsmouth,  Saco  and  Portland. 


Miles. 

Cost. 

120 

63,854.253 

10 

250.000 

25 

673.500 

35 

1,385.788 

82 

3,016.634 

115 

5,084.470 

38 

1,200.000 

118 

3,641.426 

61 

1,500.000 

25 

560.624 

20 

219.450 

71 

1,567.073 

23 

850.000 

18 

500.000 

52 

1 ,293.640 

243 


Miles. 

Cost. 

Ivennebeck  &  Portland, 

54 

1,000,000 

Atlantic  &  St.  Lawrence, 

70 

1,500.000 

Androscoggin  &  Ivennebeck, 

55 

1,621,878 

York  &  Cumberland,  - 

11 

360,000 

Total,  - 

-  1003 

$30,078,736 

Add  Roads  in  Massachusetts, 

-  1047 

52,704,099 

Partly  in  Massachusetts, 

370 

8,966,200 

Total, 

-  2420 

$91,749,035 

In  this  enumeration  are  not  included  several  minor  works  in  the 
State,  on  our  northern  border,  nor  the  Stonington  and  New  York  and 
New  Haven  roads,  which  form  part  of  the  lines  of  daily  communica¬ 
tion  between  this  city  and  New  York.  Were  we  to  include  the 
entire  cost  of  the  railroads  in  the  New  England  States  now  in  opera¬ 
tion,  connected  with  lines  leading  to  Boston,  it  would  doubtless  ex¬ 
ceed  $100,000,000. 

It  should  have  been  stated,  in  our  description  of  some  of  the  roads 
leading  from  Boston,  in  yesterday’s  paper,  that  the  main  trunk  of  the 
Boston  &  Worcester  road,  the  Western  road  from  Worcester  to 
Springfield,  the  Fitchburg  and  Boston  and  Lowell  roads,  consist  of  a 
double  track,  as  do  also  27  miles  of  the  Maine  road,  and  16  miles  of 
the  Eastern.  The  rest  consist  chiefly  of  a  single  track. 

For  the  purpose  of  showing  to  what  extent  the  whole  people  of  the 
State  participate  in  the  benefit  of  the  lines  of  railroad,  which  traverse 
the  State  as  above  described,  it  may  be  pertinent  to  state  that  there 
are  in  Massachusetts  32  cities  and  towns  which  have  each  5000  in¬ 
habitants  and  upwards,  and  that  one  or  more  of  these  railroads  passes 
through,  or  terminates  in  each  of  these  towns,  with  the  exception  of 
Nantucket  only,  which  is  an  island,  20  miles  removed  from  the  main 
land ;  and  that  on  each  railroad,  two  or  more  passenger  trains  run  to 
and  from  Boston  daily,  (Sundays  always  excepted,  when  daily  travel¬ 
ling  on  railroads  is  spoken  of.)  There  are  in  the  State  ninety-eight 
towns  of  a  population  varying  from  2000  to  5000,  of  which  seventy- 
three  are  situated  on  some  one  of  the  said  lines  of  railroad,  and  have 
the  same  facilities  of  communication  as  the  larger  class  of  towns.  Of 
the  25  towns  of  from  2000  to  5000  inhabitants,  in  which  there  is  no 
railroad  station,  13  are  seaport  towns,  mostly  in  the  Old  Colony,  and 
a  large  proportion  are  situated  near  a  railroad  station  in  an  adjoining 
town.  The  population  of  the  smaller  class  of  towns  have  the  oppor¬ 
tunities  of  railroad  accommodation,  in  nearly  the  same  proportion  as 
those  of  the  class  above  mentioned. 


244 


GRAND  JUNCTION  RAILROAD. 

The  Grand  Junction  Railroad  Company  was  chartered  in  1847, 
with  a  capital  of  SI, 200, 000,  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  a  line  of 
Road  to  connect  the  Eastern,  Boston  and  Maine,  Fitchburg,  and  Bos¬ 
ton  and  Lowell  Railroads,  with  the  depot  grounds  of  the  Company 
upon  tide  water  at  East  Boston,  -where  they  have  ample  wharf  and 
storage-room  for  the  accommodation  of  the  extensive  business  which 
it  is  expected  their  enterprise  will  command.  The  objects  of  this 
Company,  though  somewhat  various,  are  all  eminently  designed  to 
promote  the  trade  and  commerce  of  this  city ;  to  facilitate  the  opera¬ 
tions  of  commerce  with  the  interior  trade  of  the  country ;  to  aid  in 
distributing  the  productions  of  other  countries,  and  in  the  export  trade 
of  our  own.  By  it,  the  cars  for  the  interior  are  brought  into  immedi¬ 
ate  connection  with  vessels  from  every  port,  and  the  freight  of  the 
ship  may  be  exchanged  for  that  of  the  cars,  without  any  other  agency 
lhan  that  afforded  by  the  accommodations  of  this  Company.  A  ship 
from  England  may  unload  her  cargo  of  merchandise,  to  go  to  Canada, 
on  one  train  of  cars,  and  receive  her  cargo  of  flour  for  the  return 
voyage  from  the  next.  Or,  by  its  warehouses,  the  same  cargo  of 
merchandise,  or  the  same  freight  of  flour,  may  be  placed  in  store  or 
bond  until  required,  and  it  will  be  seen  that  whatever  the  commodity, 
wherever  it  came  from,  or  wherever  designed  to  be  sent,  the  saving  of 
expense  in  the  facilities  afforded  by  this  Company  -would  equal  a  large 
part  of  the  cost  of  conveying  it  to  the  interior  from  the  ship,  or  to  the 
ship  from  the  interior. 

The  grounds  of  the  Company  consist  of  some  thirty  acres,  the 
greater  portion  of  which  is  made  land ,  enclosed  by  a  substantial  sea¬ 
wall,  2395  feet  in  length.  These  grounds  front  on  Marginal  street, 
east  of  the  Cunard  Steamers’  Wharf,  and  their  piers  extend  to  the 
Commissioners’  line.  These  piers  are  eight  in  number;  four  of  them 
350  feet  in  length  and  75  in  width,  and  the  others  of  somewhat  less 
length.  They  have  been  constructed  of  oak,  and  are  built  in  the 
most  substantial  manner.  From  the  main  track  of  the  Road,  a 
branch  runs  along  the  edges  of  each  of  these  piers,  so  that  merchan¬ 
dise  can  be  transferred  from  the  cars  to  the  ships.  Each  pier  is  to 
be  roofed  over,  so  that  they  will  be  in  effect  ample  and  commodious 
depots.  At  the  head  of  these  piers  or  wharves  is  abundant  land  for 
the  construction  of  warehouses,  four  of  which,  to  be  built  of  substan¬ 
tial  granite,  are  to  be  immediately  erected  by  the  Company.  The 
charter  of  the  Company  permits  it  to  lease  or  sell  to  other  Railroad 
Corporations  such  portions  of  its  grounds  as  may  be  desirable,  for  the 
erection  of  freight  depots  ;  and  the  whole  thirty  acres  of  its  grounds 
are  expected  to  be  occupied  in  that  manner.  The  Company’s  grounds 
are  accessible  from  the  open  sea  on  the  south  to  the  largest  class  of 
ships,  and  the  docks  are  protected  from  easterly  storms.  They  con¬ 
tain  1,405,920  square  feet  of  land,  piers  and  docks,  divided  as  fol¬ 
lows,  viz: — 1,058,251  square  feet  of  land,  183,195  do.  oak  piers, 


245 


244,474  do.  docks  ;  and  have  a  frontage  on  Marginal  street  of  1650 
feet  in  length.  Besides  the  above,  the  Company  owns  about  456,721 
square  feet  of  land,  with  a  water  front  of  1000  feet,  near  the  bridge 
over  Chelsea  creek.  The  real  estate  owned  by  the  Company  com¬ 
prised  in  these  two  lots  amounts  to  1,922,641  square  feet,  including 
9351  feet  in  length  of  wharf  accommodations,  in  the  deepest  and  best 
part  of  the  harbor  for  commercial  purposes.  The  Railway  will  ex¬ 
tend  from  the  Company’s  depots  and  the  warehouses  at  East  Boston, 
through  Chelsea  and  North  Malden,  to  the  Boston  and  Maine  Rail¬ 
road  in  Somerville,  north  of  the  Middlesex  Canal,  and  will  intersect 
the  Boston  and  Low^ell,  and  Fitchburg  Roads,  in  Somerville,  near  the 
present  crossing  of  these  Roads.  The  depots  on  the  grounds  of  the 
Company  are  thus  connected  wdth  four  of  the  principal  Railroads  en¬ 
tering  the  city,  (and  through  them  with  the  interior  roads  reaching  to 
the  Canadas  and  great  lakes.)  viz  the  Eastern,  Boston  and  Maine, 
Fitchburg,  and  Boston  and  Lowell  Railroads, — thus  affording  a  chain 
of  Railroad  communication  from  deep  water  at  our  wharves,  through 
the  great  manufacturing  districts  of  New  England,  to  the  Canadas, 
the  Lakes,  and  the 'great  Western  country;  and  probably,  at  no  very 
distant  day,  uniting  by  one  continuous  Railroad  line  the  Atlantic  and 
Pacific  Oceans.  The  length  of  the  Grand  Junction  Railroad  itself  is 
6  and  6-10ths  miles,  and,  as  was  remarked  by  many  of  the  guests 
who  rode  over  it  on  the  second  day  of  the  Jubilee,  when  it  was  first 
opened,  the  Road  is  finished  in  a  very  superior  manner. 

The  officers  of  the  Company  are  : — President — Samuel  S.  Lewis ; 
Directors — David  Henshaw,  Charles  Paine,  of  Northfield,  Vt.,  Icha- 
bod  Goodwdn,  of  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  and  John  W.  Fenno,  of  Boston; 
Chief  Engineer — William  L.  Dearborn  ;  Treasurer — Dexter  Brig¬ 
ham,  Jr. ;  Clerk — J.  P.  Robinson. 


RUTLAND  AND  BURLINGTON  RAILROAD. 


The  Rutland  and  Burlington  Railroad,  extending  from  Bellows 
Falls  on  the  Connecticut  River,  to  Burlington  on  Lake  Champlain,  a 
distance  of  120  miles,  commenced  running  throughout  its  entire  length 
January  1,  1850,  and  opened  to  Boston  enterprise  an  entirely  new 
field  of  operations. 

The  Green  Mountains  had  hitherto  interposed  a  barrier  which 
effectually  shut  out  a  country  so  fertile,  that  it  has  been  aptly  termed 
the  Garden  of  New  England, — abounding  in  agricultural  productions 
— its  hills  grazed  by  countless  flocks — and  the  bowels  of  the  earth 
yielding  inexhaustible  quantities  of  iron  ore  and  marble.  Lake 
Champlain  and  the  Hudson  River  had  heretofore  furnished  the  natu¬ 
ral  and  only  channels  by  which  these  riches  found  their  way  to  the 
distant  markets  of  New  York.  The  Rutland  and  Burlington  Rail¬ 
road  would,  it  was  thought,  form  a  highway  which  might  divert  a 
share  at  least  to  the  city  of  Boston  ;  and  that  it  has  successfully  done 
so,  the  statistics  of  the  Road  abundantly  prove.  According  to  the 
printed  Report,  submitted  to  the  Stockholders  June  18,  1851,  we 
learn  that — 

The  income  for  the  year  1850  was  -  $197,774  50 

While  the  income  for  the  year  1851  will  reach  -  350,000  00 

Exhibiting  the  extraordinary  increase  of  -  -  152,225  50 

or  over  75  per  cent.  This  surprising  gain  has  been  caused  by  no 
fortuitous  circumstances,  but  has  been  steady,  gradual,  and  health¬ 
ful;  the  result,  unquestionably,  on  the  one  hand,  of  the  superior 
facilities  for  communication  throughout  the  year  which  a  Railroad 
furnishes, — and  on  the  other,  of  the  stimulus  which  a  work  of  this 
nature  invariably  exerts  upon  the  resources  of  the  region  through 
which  it  passes. 

Fresh  capital  is  continually  being  called  out  for  the  purpose  of  de¬ 
veloping  the  still  hidden  wealth  of  this  part  of  Vermont ;  and, 
among  other  enterprises,  we  may  mention  that  of  our  respected  fellow- 
citizen,  Col. Thomas  H.  Perkins,  who,  with  others,  have  invested  largely 
in  the  purchase  of  Belden’s  Falls — a  place  yet  fresh  from  the  hands 
of  its  Maker,  and  wrhose  rocky  sides  furnish  marble  that  rivals  the 
finest  Carrara  can  produce. 

Besides  the  local  traffic  of  the  Road,  its  connection  with  the 
Ogdensburg  Railroad,  with  the  St.  Lawrence  River,  and,  by  means 
of  the  Rutland  and  Washington  Railroad,  with  the  great  chain  of 
Railroads  leading  from  Schenectady  to  Buffalo,  greatly  enhances  the 
prospects  of  the  Road  for  an  immense  increase  in  its  freight  and 
travel,  in  consequence  of  so  ready  a  communication  with  the  Great 
West. 

The  tourist,  as  well  as  the  merchant,  has  been  greatly  benefitted  by 
the  construction  of  this  Road,  which  not  only  passes  through  scenery 
unrivalled  for  beauty,  and  yet  new  to  pleasure-seekers,  but  is  the 


247 


most  direct  route  to  many  of  the  old  standard  places  of  interest.  It 
is  shorter,  by  some  ten  miles,  from  Boston  to  Saratoga,  by  this  route, 
than  by  any  other — a  fact  which  cannot  but  largely  increase  the 
amount  of  the  pleasure-travel  of  the  Road :  while  northward,  Mon¬ 
treal,  Quebec,  the  Saguenay,  and  the  Thousand  Islands  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  cannot  fail  to  draw  their  quota  of  visitors,  who  will  of 
course  avail  themselves  of  the  most  direct  avenue  to  those  places. 


248 


NORTHERN,  OR  OGDENSBURG  RAILROAD. 

The  Northern,  or,  as  it  is  popularly  called,  the  Ogdensburg  Railroad, 
commences  in  the  town  of  that  name,  on  the  St.  Lawrence  River,  at 
the  foot  of  the  navigation  of  the  Great  Lakes,  and  extending  entirely 
across  northern  New  York,  terminates  at  Rouse’s  Point  on  Lake 
Champlain.  Its  whole  length  is  about  one  hundred  and  eighteen 
miles.  The  charter  of  this  Company  was  obtained  from  the  Legisla¬ 
ture  of  New  York  on  the  fourteenth  of  May,  1845,  and  the  road  was 
opened  in  its  entire  length  on  the  first  day  of  October,  1850.  The 
whole  cost  of  the  work,  when  fully  equipped,  will  be  over  $4, 000, 000. 
It  is  in  all  respects  a  railroad  of  the  first  class,  having  been  built  in 
the  most  substantial  and  thorough  manner.  The  depot  grounds  at 
Ogdensburg  and  Rouse’s  Point  are  most  ample.  At  the  former  place 
they  consist  of  more  than  60  acres  of  land,  having  a  water  front, 
where  vessels  can  be  discharged,  of  nearly  a  mile  in  length.  At 
Rouse’s  Point  there  are  nearly  3,000  feet  of  wharf,  from  which 
freight  can  be  discharged  into  vessels  on  Lake  Champlain.  The 
road  here  also  connects  with  the  lines  on  the  East  side  of  the  Lake  by 
means  of  a  floating  bridge,  or  boat,  over  which  trains  pass  without 
difficulty,  and  at  a  rapid  rate  of  speed. 

The  great  objects  in  view  in  constructing  this  road  were,  to  aid  in 
developing  the  varied  resources  of  Northern  New  York — a  most  fer¬ 
tile,  healthful  and  productive  country ;  to  connect  the  navigable 
waters  of  the  Great  Lakes  with  Lake  Champlain,  and  with  the  rail¬ 
roads  in  the  New  England  States ;  to  open  a  new,  cheap,  and  expedi¬ 
tious  route  between  the  East  and  the  West,  and  an  avenue  between 
the  upper  and  Lower  Provinces  of  Canada.  In  all  these  things  the 
road  bids  fair  fully  to  answer  the  expectations  of  its  projectors.  Al¬ 
ready  it  has  produced  a  most  enlivening  effect  in  the  country  through 
which  it  runs,  where  trade,  the  arts,  and  agriculture  are  assuming  a 
new  aspect.  Large  quantities  of  freight  are  passing  from  the  city  of 
New  York,  up  the  Hudson  and  through  Lake  Champlain,  to  Rouse’s 
Point,  and  thence  by  this  line  to  Canada  and  the  West;  while  equally 
large  quantities  take  the  same  direction  from  Boston  over  the  New 
England  roads.  The  products  of  Canada  and  the  Great  West  are 
shipped  to  Ogdensburg,  and  there  take  the  cars  of  this  road,  and  are 
delivered  in  Boston  without  breaking  bulk,  or  are  reshipped  at  Rouse’s 
Point,  and  pass  Southward  to  the  city  of  New  York. 

The  Montreal  Railroad  enters  upon  this  road  a  short  distance  We$t 
of  Rouse’s  Point,  and  its  cars  are  allowed  to  pass  Eastward  over  the 
bridge  of  this  Company,  on  to  the  Vermont  Road,  and  thus  a  complete 
connexion  exists  between  Boston  and  Montreal,  and  between  Boston, 
Montreal  and  Ogdensburg. 

There  are  some  important  and  interesting  points  on  this  railroad. 
One  of  them  is  the  viaduct  at  Chatauque  River.  This  stream  is 
turned  through  a  tunnel  cut  in  solid  rock,  and  the  ravine  through 
which  it  ran  is  filled  with  earth,  making  an  embankment  one  hundred 
and  sixty  feet  high. 


249 


VERMONT  CENTRAL  RAILROAD. 

The  Vermont  Central  Railroad  Company  was  chartered  on  the  3 1st 
of  October,  1843,  with  authority  to  construct  a  railroad  from  the  east¬ 
ern  shore  of  Lake  Champlain  to  a  point  on  the  Connecticut  River, 
convenient  for  its  connection  with  railroads  from  Boston,  either  by  the 
way  of  Concord,  N.  H.,  or  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

On  the  23d  of  July,  1845,  the  Company  was  organized  with  a  cap¬ 
ital  of  two  millions  of  dollars  ;  on  the  15th  of  December  of  that  year, 
the  first  ground  was  broken  at  Windsor,  and  on  the  1st  of  January, 
1850,  the  whole  of  the  Central  Road  was  open  for  running  trains, 
from  Windsor  to  Burlington,  a  distance  of  117  miles — costing,  for 
track  and  equipments,  up  to  July  1st,  1851,  exclusive  of  interest, 
$5,773,964.37. 

Regarded  in  a  local  view,  only,  this  railroad  possesses  great  advan¬ 
tages  in  its  grades,  the  maximum  of  which,  on  the  main  line,  is  4  feet 
to  the  mile — in  its  curves,  three-fourths  of  the  line  being  straight — 
in  its  scenery,  which  is  among  the  most  attractive  to  be  found  in  New 
England — and  in  a  country  to  furnish  local  business,  abounding  in 
resources  for  agriculture  and  manufactures,  and  inhabited  by  an  ener¬ 
getic  and  thrifty  people.  The  originators  and  promoters  of  the  Central 
road  were  men  of  enlarged  views,  and  happily,  also,  of  great  sagacity 
and  unflinching  energy. 

From  the  outset,  they  designed  the  establishment,  not  merely  of  an 
important  railroad  for  Vermont,  but  of  a  great  northern  line  of  rail¬ 
roads ,  extending  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  St.  Lawrence  and  the  West¬ 
ern  Lakes— -a  line  of  the  highest  importance  to  the  commerce  of  New 
England  and  the  Western  States,  of  Canada  and  Great  Britain. 

The  Central  road  was  regarded  as  an  indispensable  link  in  this  great 
chain.  Its  construction  was  begun,  and  has  been  prosecuted  with  a 
conviction  that  its  success  would  insure  the  construction  of  the 
whole.  In  every  stage  of  its  progress,  it  has  been  kept  strictly  sub¬ 
ordinate  to  the  grand  design.  When  the  Central  Railroad  Company 
was  organized  in  July,  1845,  there  was  no  railroad  constructed  within 
69  miles  of  the  Central  line  on  the  East,  and  no  road  constructed,  and 
no  Company  organized  West  or  North  of  the  Central  line,  except  18 
miles  of  Summer  railway  from  Laprairie  to  St.  Johns. 

The  Central  suspended  its  calls  upon  capitalists  for  stock,  and  com¬ 
menced  work  with  less  than  one-half  of  its  own  capital  subscribed,  in 
order,  as  the  directors  remarked,  in  their  first  annual  report,  to  leave 
the  field  in  Boston  for  a  time  open  to  the  friends  of  the  Ogdensburg 
road,  which  was  the  last  link  in  the  chain  to  connect  the  Atlantic  with 
the  Great  Lakes. 

Aided  by  this  forbearance,  as  well  as  by  support  on  the  part  of  pro¬ 
moters  of  the  Central  road,  the  Ogdensburg  was  organized  in  June, 
1846.  At  the  same  time  the  Northern  (N.  H.)  and  Sullivan  rail¬ 
roads  were  also  put  in  progress.  The  promoters  of  the  Central  road 
had  also  succeeded  in  enlisting,  to  some  extent,  the  favor  of  leading 


32 


250 


men  in  Montreal,  and  liad  procured  a  charter  for  the  “  Vermont  & 
Canada  Railroad  Co.,”  to  construct  the  remaining  part  of  the  great 
line  between  the  Central  and  Ogdensburg  roads — so  that  in  July, 
1846,  nearly  the  whole  line  was  in  progress,  and  the  directors  of  the 
Central  road,  in  their  first  report,  used  the  following  language : 

“  Upon  the  completion  of  those  railroads  in  New  England  with 
which  the  Central  road  will  connect,  and  which  are  now  in  progress 
of  completion,  direct  communication  will  be  furnished  for  Vermont 
and  Northern  New  York,  through  various  parts  of  New  Hampshire ; 
Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  and  Connecticut,  and  into  Maine  ;  while, 
for  a  large  portion  of  Vermont,  the  Central  will  also  form  a  link  in 
the  chain  of  direct  communication  with  the  Middle  and  Southern 
States.  On  the  North,  via  Lake  Champlain  and  the  St.  Johns 
Railroad,  the  Central  road  will  be  connected,  as  soon  as  finished,  by 
steam  with  Montreal ;  and  at  no  distant  day,  we  trust,  in  a  constant 
and  speedier  manner,  by  cars  and  engines  running  upon  the  Vermont 
and  Canada  Railroad.  Means  will  thus  be  furnished  for  transporta¬ 
tion  direct  from  Boston  to  Montreal ;  indeed,  we  should  rather  say, 
for  regular,  certain,  direct  steam  communication  between  Great  Britain 
and  the  capital  of  her  North  American  Colonies.  Under  a  liberal 
policy,  between  the  governments  of  England  and  the  United  States, 
such  as  would  seem  to  prevail,  the  amount  of  transportation  will  not 
be  inconsiderable,  and  the  number  of  passengers  must  be  large. 

We  dare  not  attempt  to  estimate  the  amount  of  business  which  is 
to  pour  into  the  capital  of  New  England,  through  the  Central  road, 
when  it  shall,  as  it  undoubtedly  will,  be  connected  with  Montreal  on 
the  North,  and  Ogdensburg  on  the  West.  A  new  outlet  will  thus  be 
afforded,  on  the  seaboard,  for  those  productions  which  are  now  being 
gathered  into  the  Northern  Lakes  from  the  vast  and  fertile  lands 
which  surround  them. 

Boston,  as  is  well  known,  has  the  reputation  of  affording  one  of  the 
best  markets  in  the  Union,  for  the  manufactures  and  the  agricultural 
products  of  our  own  country,  and  the  productions  of  foreign  countries. 
When  once  a  road  of  such  easy  gradients  and  curves,  as  those  of  the 
Vermont  Central  road,  shall  have  been  opened  to  Lake  Champlain, 
who  can  properly  estimate  the  reciprocal  benefits  which  must  result 
therefrom  to  the  merchant  of  Boston,  and  to  the  trader  of  Vermont  ? 
and,  when  a  connection  shall  have  been  established  with  Ogdensburg 
and  thus  with  all  those  great  Lakes  which  wash  the  shores  of  seven 
States  of  this  Union,  and  Canada  West,  who  can  calculate  the  effect 
to  be  produced  upon  the  trade  of  Boston  ?  Verily,  what  the  Western 
Railroad  would  be  to  Boston,  were  there  no  Hudson  river,  and  if  the 
New  York  roads  carried  freight  all  the  year  and  paid  no  tolls, — such, 
we  believe,  will  the  line  of  railroad,  from  Boston  to  the  St.  Law¬ 
rence,  be  to  the  capital  of  Massachusetts, — bringing  flour  from  Cleve¬ 
land  to  Boston  at  less  rate  via  Ogdensburg  than  it  can  be  brought  by 
the  present  arrangements  to  any  point  on  the  seaboard.  It  will  thus 
be  found,  that  while  this  line  of  roads  is  to  benefit  both  the  producer 
and  the  consumer,  directly,  another,  and  no  less  important  effect, 
which  will  result  from  the  completion  of  the  line,  will  be  the  vast 
increase  that  must  ensue  to  the  shipping  business  of  Boston.  By 


251 


uniting  the  St.  Lawrence  at  Ogdensburg,  and  the  same  river  at 
Montreal,  with  the  capital  of  New  England,  by  a  common  iron  tie, 
and  there  connecting  with  the  Royal  Mail  Steamships,  the  Vermont 
Central  Railroad,  with  its  connections,  is  to  become  the  grand  high¬ 
way  for  freight,  and  for  business  and  pleasure  travel,  between  the 
mother^  country  and  our  own,  and  the  principal  English  Colonies  of 
the  Western  world.” 

To  carry  out  the  great  scheme  thus  indicated,  the  Vermont  and 
Canada  road  was  leased  by  the  Vermont  Central,  with  a  guarantee  of 
8  per  cent,  upon  its  cost.  And  thus  means  were  procured  to  open 
that  road  on  the  1st  of  January  1851,  and  the  whole  scheme  was 
completed,  by  the  opening  of  the  Champlain  and  St.  Lawrence  road, 
on  the  1st  of  September  last. 

This  Vermont  Central  Railroad  commences  at  Windsor,  Vermont, 
connecting  there  with  the  Sullivan  Railroad,  and  through  it  with  rail¬ 
road  lines  extending  both  to  Boston  and  New  York  city,  and  to  all 
the  most  important  towns  in  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island  and  that 
part  of  Massachusetts  lying  west  and  south  of  Boston.  Running  from 
Windsor,  fourteen  miles,  to  White  River  Junction,  the  road  there  con¬ 
nects  with  the  Northern  line  to  Concord,  N.  H.,  Lowell,  Lawrence, 
and  Boston,  also  to  Salem,  Portsmouth  and  Portland,  and  also  with  the 
Passumpsic  and  Connecticut  River  Railroad,  which  extends,  up  the 
valley  of  the  Connecticut  river,  to  Northern  Vermont  and  New 
Hampshire. 

From  White  River  Junction  the  Central  road  extends  through 
Vermont,  via  Royalton,  Bethel,  Randolph,  Northfield,  Montpelier, 
Waterbury,  Richmond  and  Essex,  to  Burlington  on  Lake  Champlain, 
103  miles.  At  Essex  Junction,  7  miles  east  of  Burlington,  the  Cen¬ 
tral  connects  with  the  Vermont  and  Canada  railroad,  which  is  leased 
by  the  Central  and  run  by  it  as  a  part  of  the  great  Northern  line 
from  Boston  and  New  York  to  Canada  and  the  West,  extending  47 
miles  from  Essex,  to  Rouse’s  Point ;  the  line  then  connects  with  rail¬ 
roads  running  west  to  Ogdensburg,  and  north  to  Montreal,  thus 
forming  together  with  the  lower  roads  an  unbroken  line,  and  the  only 
unbroken  line  of  railway  from  the  Atlantic,  at  New  York  and  Bos¬ 
ton,  to  the  St.  Lawrence  at  Montreal  and  Ogdensburg. 

The  Central  is  one  of  the  best  constructed  roads  in  New  England, 
and  well  equipped,  and  is  the  first  railroad  in  this  country  which  has 
provided  a  speedy  passage,  across  navigable  waters,  for  entire  trains  of 
locomotives  and  cars  without  the  aid  of  a  bridge.  This  is  done  at 
Rouse’s  Point  by  a  boat  fitted  with  proper  tracks,  and  extending  across 
the  entire  channel,  a  novel  and  highly  successful  expedient  enforced  by 
the  unyielding  opposition  of  other  interests  to  the  construction  of  a 
railway  bridge  by  the  Vermont  and  Canada  and  Ogdensburg  roads. 

The  design  of  this  floating  bridge  is  due  to  Gov.  Paine,  the  Presi¬ 
dent,  and  it  Avas  constructed  by  H.  R.  Campbell,  Esq.,  the  Chief  En¬ 
gineer  of  the  Central  Railroad  Company. 

The  Vermont  Central  Railroad  Company  has  striven  strongly,  and 
suffered  severely,  in  carrying  out  the  original  design  with  which  its 
founders  started,  but  it  is  beginning  to  reap  the  reward  to  which  it  is 
entitled ;  its  business  now  requires  two  passenger,  and  four  freight 


252 


trains  daily  each  way,  and  its  superior  facilities  for  transportation 
will  it  is  hoped,  in  due  time  give  it  rank  among  the  greatest,  and 
most  successful  roads  in  the  country.  This  line  has  been  selected  for 
the  transportation  both  of  the  United  States,  and  British  mails  be¬ 
tween  Boston  and  New  York  and  Canada. 


253 


STATISTICS  OF  THE  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS. 

The  following  tables  relating  to  the  schools  of  Boston,  were  pre¬ 
pared  by  N.  Bishop,  Esq.,  the  able  Superintendent  of  Public  Schools, 
to  show  the  expenditures  of  the  City,  for  purposes  connected  with 
education,  during  the  last  ten  years.  They  are  exceedingly  valu¬ 
able,  not  only  for  present  reference,  but  as  affording  the  means  for 
future  comparison 

Estimated  cost  of  all  the  Public  School  Estates  to  May  ls£,  1851. 

1.  Cost  of  the  Latin  and  English  High  School  Es¬ 
tate,  and  of  the  improvements  on  the  same,  -  -  $81,151.51 

2.  Cost  of  all  the  Grammar  School  Estates,  and  of 

the  improvements  on  the  same,  -  '762,744.22 

3.  Cost  of  all  the  Primary  School  Estates, 

and  of  the  improvements  on  the  same,  -  366,214.81 

Since  May  1st,  1851,  the  amount  expended 
for  Primary  School  Estates,  is  -  61,163.03 

Making  the  entire  cost  of  the  Primary  School  Estates,  *427,377.84 

Total  cost  of  all  the  Public  School  Estates,  -  $1,271,273.57 

*  This  sum  is  much  smaller  than  it  would  be,  if  a  large  number  of  Primary 
Schools  did  not  occupy  rooms  in  the  Grammar  School  Houses,  and  many  others, 
rooms  hired  for  their  use. 


254 


Annual  Amount  paid  for  'Tuition  and  for  incidental  ex¬ 
penses ,  and  rate  per  scholar ,  for  the  last  ten  years. 

I.  In  High  and  Grammar  Schools. 


Years. 

Number  of 
Scholars. 

Amount  paid 
for  salaries. 

Rate  per 
Scholar. 

Incidental 

Expenses. 

Rate  per 
Scholar. 

Total 

Expense. 

1841—42 

6,433 

$73,258  83 

$  11  39 

$14,305  10 

$  2  22 

$  13  91 

1842-’43 

6,823 

75,734  68 

11  10 

16,761  22 

2  46 

13  56 

1 843-44 

7,533 

80,957  68 

10  75 

15,879  46 

2  11 

12  86 

1844-’45 

7,935 

89,005  ]  1 

11  22 

21,134  00 

2  66 

13  89 

1845-46 

8,511 

98.876  40 

11  62 

21,940  39 

2  58 

14  20 

1846-’47 

8,513 

104,675  34 

12  30 

25,589  93 

3  01 

15  40 

1847-’48 

8,836 

114,011  86 

12  90 

34,878  12 

3  95 

16  85 

1 848~’49 

9,114 

118,060  84 

12  95 

36,935  67 

4  05 

17  00 

1849-’50 

9,332 

120,895  83 

12  95 

34,314  26 

3  67 

16  62 

1850-’51 

9,694 

125  464  60 

12  94 

39,820  82 

4  11 

17  05 

Average  number  of  Scholars  for  the  last  ten  years,  8,272. 

“  tuition  of  each  scholar  per  annum,  $12.10. 

“  increase  of  scholars  “  “  5  per  cent. 

“  «  “  tuition  “  “  7  “  “ 

Entire  “  “  scholars  for  ten  years,  50  “  “ 

«  “  “  tuition  “  «  “  71  “  “ 

Average  annual  incidental  expenses  per  scholar,  $3.16. 

“  rate  of  increase  of  incidental  expenses  per  annum.  17  4-5  per  cent. 
Entire  increase  of  incidental  expenses  for  ten  years,  178  “  “ 


II.  In  Primart  Schools. 


Years. 

Number  of 
Scholars. 

Amount  paid 
for  salaries. 

Rate  per 
Scholar. 

Incidental 

Expenses. 

Rate  per 
Scholar. 

Total 

Expense. 

1841-’42 

5,968 

$23,934  84 

$  4  01 

$  8,889  71 

$  1  48 

$  5  49 

1842-43 

6.355 

25,324  79 

3  98 

10,876  14 

1  71 

5  69 

1843-’44 

7,540 

27,884  14 

3  70 

11,075  34 

1  47 

5  17 

1844-’45 

8,173 

29,239  84 

3  57 

10,968  12 

1  34 

4  91 

1845-’46 

8.599 

31,070  35 

3  61 

13,346  36 

1  55 

5  16 

1846-’47 

9,003 

44,675  69 

4  96 

17,425  39 

1  93 

6  89 

1847—48 

10,060 

47,910  64 

4  76 

22  530  18 

2  24 

7  00 

1848-’49 

10,657 

53,671  99 

5  04 

23  993  98 

2  25 

7  29 

1849-50 

11,257 

56,461  31 

5  02 

23,685  61 

2  10 

7  12 

1850-’51 

11,949 

58,434  08 

4  89 

21,214  39 

1  77 

6  66 

Average  number  of  scholars  for  the  last  ten  years,  8,956. 

“  tuition  per  scholar  “  “  “  “  “  $4.45. 

“  increase  of  scholars  per  annum,  10  per  cent. 

tc  “  “  tuition  per  annum,  14  2-5  “  “ 

Entire  “  “  scholars  for  ten  years,  100  “  “ 

“  “  “  tuition  “  “  “  144  1-10  “  “ 

Average  annual  incidental  expenses  per  scholar,  $1.83. 

“  rate  of  increase  of  incidental  expenses  per  scholar,  17  per  cent. 
Entire  increase  of  incidental  expenses  for  ten  years,  1 70  “  “ 


From  this  Table  it  appears  that,  for  the  last  ten  years,  the  average  cost  of 
instruction  for  each  scholar  in  the  High  and  the  Grammar  Schools,  has  been 
$15.26  per  annum  ;  and  that  for  each  scholar  in  the  Primary  Schools  it  has  been 
$6.28  per  annum.  The  whole  average  cost  of  instruction  is  $10.59  per  annum 
for  each  scholar  in  the  Boston  Public  Schools. 


255 


Amount  annually  expended  for  the  Erection  and  Alteration 
of  School  Houses  for  the  last  ten  years. 


High  and  Grammar  Schools.  |  Primary  Schools. 


Years. 

Number  of 
Scholars. 

Amount 

expended. 

Rate  per 
Scholar. 

Number  of 
Scholars. 

Amount 

expended. 

Rate  per 
Scholar. 

1841-’42 

6,433 

$21,314  80 

$  3,31 

5,968 

$12,457  25 

$2  09 

1842-’43 

6,823 

7,442  33 

1,09 

6,355 

10,210  18 

1  61 

1 843-’44 

7,533 

53,551  56 

7,11 

7,540 

9,926  14 

1  32 

1844-’45 

7,935 

48,414  45 

6,10 

8,173 

12,502  27 

1  53 

1845-’46 

8,511 

46,338  80 

5,44 

8,599 

16,570  86 

1  93 

1846-’47 

8,513 

62,451  61 

7,34 

9,003 

34,592  02 

3  84 

1847-48 

8,836 

90,153  02 

10,20 

10,060 

39,290  46 

3  90 

1848-’49 

9,114 

35,567  24 

3,90 

10,657 

35,923  72 

3  37 

1849-’50 

9,332 

63,964  46 

6,85 

11,257 

17,756  86 

1  58 

1850-51 

9,694 

29,969  14 

3,09 

11,949 

51.010  69 

4  27 

Average  amount  expended  annually  for  the  last  ten  years  on  the 

High  and  the  Grammar  School  estates, . $  45,916  74 

Average  amount  expended  annually  for  the  last  ten  years  on  the 

Primary  School  estates, .  24,024  04 

Whole  amount  expended  during  the  last  ten  years  on  the  High  and 

the  Grammar  School  estates, .  459.16741 

Whole  amount  expended  during  the  last  ten  years  on  the  Primary 

School  Estates, .  240,240  45 

Total  amount  expended  during  the  last  ten  years  on  the  Public 

School  estates, .  699,407  86 


Amount  annually  expended  for  all  Public  School  purposes , 
except  the  building  and  the  alteration  of  School  Houses , 
for  the  last  ten  years. 


Years. 

Number  of  Scholars. 

Tuition  and  Inciden¬ 
tal  Expenses. 

Rate  per  Scholar. 

1841 -’42 

12,401 

$  120,388  48 

$  9,71 

1842-43 

13,178 

128,696  83 

9,77 

1843-’44 

15,073 

135,796  62 

9,01 

1844-’45 

16,108 

150,347  07 

9,33 

1845-46 

17,110 

165,233  50 

9,66 

1846-47 

17,516 

192,366  35 

10,98 

1847-’48 

18,896 

219,330  80 

11,61 

1848-’49 

19,771 

232,662  48 

11,77 

1849-’50 

20,589 

235,357  01 

11,43 

1850-’51 

21.643 

244,933  89 

11,32 

Average  number  of  scholars  in  all  the  Schools  during  the  last  ten  years, 
The  whole  amount  expended  for  all  School  purposes  exclusive  oi 


1.7,228 


School  Houses,  for  the  last  ten  years,  is 
The  average  amount  of  these  expenses  per  scholar, 

“  “  rate  of  increase  of  scholars  per  annum, 

“  «  “  u  “  in  the  above  expenses,  is 

The  entire  increase  of  scholars  for  the  last  ten  years, 

in  the  above  expenses  for  the  last  ten  years, 


U 


$1,825,113  03 
10  59 
71-2  per  cent. 
10  2-5  “  “ 

75  “  “ 

103 


<C 


256 


The  amount  of  Taxes  assessed  on  Real  and  Personal  Estates  in 
the  City  of  Boston,  for  the  past  ten  years,  and  the  proportion  of  the 
same  expended  for  Public  Schools  have  been  as  follows  : — 


1841- 2. 

Valuation  of  Real  Estate,  - 
Valuation  of  Personal  Estates,  - 

Total  valuation,  - 
Tax  at  60  cents  per  $100,  - 
Number  of  Polls  18,950  at  $1.50, 

Total  Tax  1841-2,  - 

Whole  amount  expended  for  Schools,  - 

Proportion  of  Tax  expended  for  Schools, 

1842- 3. 

Valuation  of  Real  Estate,  - 
Valuation  of  Personal  Estates,  - 

Total  Valuation,  - 

Tax  at  57  cents  per  $100,  - 
Number  of  Polls  19,636  at  $1.50, 

Total  Tax  for  1842-3,  - 

Whole  amount  expended  for  Schools,  - 

Proportion  of  Tax  expended  for  Schools, 

1843- 4. 

Valuation  of  Real  Estate,  - 
Valuation  of  Personal  Estates,  - 

Total  Valuation,  - 

Tax  at  62  cents  per  $100,  - 
Number  of  Polls  20,063,  at  $1.50, 


$61,963,000.00 

36,043,600.00 


98,006,600.00 

588,039.60 

28,372.50 


616,41,210 
154,260.53 
25  per  cent. 


65,499,900.00 

41,223,700.00 


106,723,700.00 

608,325.09 

29,454.00 


637,779.09 
138,771.93 
21.7  per  cent. 


$67,673,400.00 

42,372,600.00 


110,046,000.00 

682,285,20 

30,094.50 


Total  Tax  for  1843-4,  - 

Whole  amount  expended  for  Schools,  - 

Proportion  of  Tax  expended  for  Schools, 


712,379.70 
201,256  26 
28.2  per  cent. 


1844-5. 

Valuation  of  Real  Estate,  - 
Valuation  of  Personal  Estates,  - 

Total  Valuation,  - 
Tax  at  60  cents  per  $100,  - 
Number  of  Polls  22,339  at  $1.50, 

Total  Tax  for  1844-5,  - 

Whole  amount  expended  for  Schools,  - 

Proportion  of  Tax  expended  for  Schools, 


$72,048,000.00 

46,402,300.00 


118,450,300.00 

710,701.80 

33,508.00 


744,210.30 
205,277.68 
27.6  per  cent. 


257 


1  8  4  5  -6. 

Valuation  of  Heal  Estate,  - 
Valuation  of  Personal  Estate, 

Total  Valuation,  - 
At  57  cents  per  SI 00,  - 

Number  of  Polls  24,287  at  SI. 50, 

Total  Tax  for  1845-6,  - 

Whole  amount  expended  for  Schools,  - 

Proportion  of  Tax  expended  for  Schools, 

1  8  4  6-7. 

Valuation  of  Heal  Estate,  - 
Valuation  of  Personal  Estate, 

Total  Valuation,  - 
At  60  cents  per  SI 00,  - 

Number  of  Polls  25,974  at  SI. 50, 

Total  Tax  for  1846-7,  - 

Whole  amount  expended  for  Schools,  - 

Proportion  of  Tax  expended  for  Schools, 

1  8  47-8. 

Valuation  of  Heal  Estate,  - 
Valuation  of  Personal  Estate, 


$81,991,400.00 

53,957,300.00 


135,948,700.00 

774,907.59 

36,430.00 


811,337.59 
226,019.09 
27.8  per  cent. 


S90, 119, 600.00 
58,720,000.00 


148,839,600,00 

893,037.60 

38,961.00 


931,998.60 
298,619.49 
32  per  cent. 


$97,764,500.00 

64,595,900.00 


Total  Valuation,  ------  162,360,400.00 

At  60  cents  per  S100,  -  -  -  -  -  974,162.40 

Number  of  Polls  27,008  at  S1.50,  -  -  -  40,512.00 


Total  Tax  for  1847-8,  - 

Whole  amount  expended  for  Schools,  - 

Proportion  of  Tax  expended  for  Schools, 

1  8  4  8-9. 

Valuation  of  Heal  Estate,  - 
Valuation  of  Personal  Estate, 


1,014,674.40 
348,887.40 
34.3  per  cent. 


$100,403,200.00 

67,324,800.00 


Total  Valuation,  - 
At  65  cents  per  SI 00, 

Number  of  Polls  27,726  at  SI. 50, 


167,728,000.00 

1,090,232.00 

41,589.00 


Total  Tax  for  1848-9,  - 

Whole  amount  expended  for  Schools,  - 

Proportion  of  Tax  expended  for  Schools, 


1,131,821.00 
303,581.67 
26.8  per  cent. 


33 


258 


1849-50. 

Valuation  of  Real  Estate,  - 
Valuation  of  Personal  Estate,  - 

Total  Valuation,  - 

At  65  cents  per  $100,  - 

Number  of  Polls  28,363  at  SI. 50, 

Total  Tax  for  1849-50,  - 

Whole  amount  expended  for  Schools,  - 

Proportion  of  Tax  expended  for  Schools, 

1  85  0-1. 

Valuation  of  Peal  Estate,  - 
Valuation  of  Personal  Estate,  - 

Total  Valuation,  - 

At  68  cents  per  S100,  - 

Number  of  Polls  28,018  at  S1.50, 

Total  Tax  for  1850-51,  - 

Whole  amount  expended  for  Schools,  - 

Proportion  of  Tax  expended  for  Schools, 


-  S102, 827, 500.00 
71,352,700.00 


-  174,180,200.00 

1,132,171.30 
42,544.50 


1,174,715.80 
311,494.95 
26.5  per  cent. 


-  S105, 093, 400.00 
74,907,100.00 


-  180,000,500.00 

1,224,003.40 
42,027.00 


1,266,030.40 
325,126.60 
25.7  per  cent. 


259 


A  TABULAR  REPRESENTATION 

OE  THE 

PRESENT  CONDITION  OF  BOSTON, 


IN  RELATION  TO 

I 

Railroad  Facilities ,  Foreign  Commerce ,  Population ,  Wealth , 
Manuf  actures ,  etc. ;  with  a  few  Statements  relative  to  the 

COMMERCE  OF  THE  CANADAS. 

Prepared  from  the  most  reliable  sources ,  imcfer  i/ie  direction  of  a  Sub-  Committee  of 
the  Joint  Special  Committee  on  the  Railroad  Celebration. 


The  following  statistics  have  been  compiled  with  as  much  care  and 
accuracy  as  the  limited  time  allowed  would  admit.  Even  when  not 
obtained  from  official  sources ,  they  are  believed  to  be  nearly,  if  not 
perfectly,  correct. 

As,  in  some  instances,  it  is  designed  to  show  the  advantages  pos¬ 
sessed  by  Boston,  as  compared  with  other  cities,  great  pains  has  been 
taken  to  make  the  collection  as  impartial  as  possible,  and  to  give 
to  those  cities  the  benefit  of  prospective  improvements  in  their  com¬ 
munications  with  the  Canadas  and  the  West. 

Much  labor  has  been  bestowed  upon  the  accompanying  map,  to 
make  it  as  accurate  as  the  best  available  sources  of  information  would 
permit.  No  doubt  errors  and  omissions  may  be  found  in  it ;  but  it  is 
believed  they  are  not  of  a  character  to  affect  its  general  correctness. 

Free  use  has  been  made  of  an  article  on  “  Boston,  as  a  Commer¬ 
cial  Metropolis,  in  1850,”  by  E.  H.  Derby,  Esq.,  originally  published 
in  Hunt’s  Merchants  Magazine,  for  November,  1850. 

At  the  close  of  the  pamphlet,  important  conclusions  are  drawn  from 
the  facts  it  contains,  and  to  these  conclusions,  with  accompanying 
summary  statements,  it  is  hoped  by  the  Committee,  that  special  atten¬ 
tion  will  be  directed. 

E.  S.  CHESBROUGH,  City  Engineer. 

Boston^  September  17 th,  1851. 


260 


RAILWAYS  AND  STEAMERS. 

“The  growth  of  Boston  and  her  environs,  has  been  more  rapid 
during  the  past  ten  years,  than  in  any  previous  decade.  The  South 
has  ascribed  her  progress  principally  to  cotton  mills.  In  common 
with  commerce,  the  fisheries,  and  other  manufactures,  these  have 
doubtless  contributed  to  her  increase;  but  the  cotton  business  grew 
more  rapidly  in  the  preceding  ten  years,  and  is  now  less  important 
than  the  manufactures  of  leather.” 

“  The  principal  cause  has  undoubtedly  been  the  construction  of  rail¬ 
ways.  These  have  given  great  facilities  to  her  commerce,  enlarged  her 
market,  attracted  merchants,  stimulated  every  branch  of  manufacture, 
created  a  demand  for  houses  and  stores,  and  advanced  the  value  of 
real  estate.  September  30th,  1839,  there  were  but  one  hundred  and 
sixty-seven  miles  of  railway  radiating  from  Boston.”  In  1851,  Bos¬ 
ton  is  wedded  to  more  than  one  thousand  miles  of  railway  in  Massa¬ 
chusetts,  more  than  eighteen  hundred  in  the  five  other  States  of  New 
England,  and  six  hundred  and  fifty  more  in  New  York.  “  In  all, 
three  thousand  miles.  In  September,  1839,  her  railway  horizon  was 
bounded  by  Salem,  Bradford,  Nashua,  and  Providence.  It  now  en¬ 
circles  a  web  spreading  over  Massachusetts,  and  extending  to  the 
Kennebec,  the  St.  Lawrence  and  the  Lakes.  This  great  system  of 
railways  has  been  principally  planned  and  directed  by  her  sagacity. 
Boston  invested  largely  in  lines  to  the  North,  and  in  distant  railways, 
— the  Michigan  Central,  Mad  River,  Reading  and  Wilmington ;  and 
she  also  expended  five  millions  in  an  aqueduct,  and  as  much  more  on 
factory  cities.  The  aqueduct  has  been  in  operation  three  years.  Her 
last  investments  promise  to  be  remunerative,  and  will  bring  with  them 
a  strong  current  of  trade  from  newly  acquired  territory.  Railroads 
have  become  the  great  interest  of  Boston,  and  her  investment  in 
them  exceeds  fifty  millions  of  dollars. 


From  the  American  Railway  Times,  of  July,  1851. 

NAMES,  LENGTH,  AND  COST,  OF  NEW  ENGLAND  RAILROADS. 


» 

<D 

fee 
°  C 

.s  % 

M 

Names  of  Railways. 

.5 

CD  O 

miles 

"  cons 

Cost. 

H  CD 

««  ° 

'  r  o 

o  « 

ooS 

O  ■*-> 

tfl  , 

.  *  r* 

°  S  o 

^  ni 

^  O.x 

Maine. 


Androscoggin. 

Androscoggin  and  Kennebec, 

55 

36 

$1,621,878 

Atlantic  and  St.  Lawrence, 

70 

86 

1,500,000 

Bangor  and  Piscataquis, 

12 

350,000 

Buckfield  Branch, 

13 

370,000 

Calais  and  Baring, 

6 

100,000 

Kennebec  and  Portland, 

54 

15 

1,000,000 

Machias  Port, 

Portland,  Saco  and  Portsmouth, 

8 

100,000 

52 

1,293,640 

York  and  Cumberland, 

11 

42 

360,000 

New  Hampshire. 

Ashuelot,  24 

510,000 

Boston,  Concord  and  Montreal, 

76 

17 

1,567,073 

Cheshire, 

54 

2,584,143 

Cocheco, 

18 

500,000 

Concord, 

35 

1,385,788 

Concord  and  Claremont, 

26 

,  24 

560,624 

Contocook  Valley, 

14 

219,450 

Eastern,  (included  in  Eastern 

(Mass.)  Railway  Company, 
operated  by  the  latter  Com¬ 
pany.) 

Great  Falls, 

Great  Falls  and  Conway, 
Manchester  and  Lawrence, 
New  Hampshire  Central, 
Northern, 

Portsmouth  and  Concord, 
Sullivan, 

Wilton, 


o 

O 

12 

26 

26 

82 

23 

25 

11 


17 


Vermont. 


Bennington  Branch, 
Connecticut  and  Passumpsic, 
Rutland  and  Burlington, 
Rutland  and  AVasliington, 


60 

119 

10 


6 

54 


60,000 

300,000 

717,543 

600,000 

3,016,634 

850,000 

673,500 

600,000 


100,000 

1,500,000 

3,455,256 

250,000 


262 


Troy  and  Rutland, 

55 

$  550,000 

Vermont  Central, 

115 

5,081,767 

Vermont  and  Canada, 

38 

1,200,000 

Vermont  Valley, 

24 

500,000 

Western  Vermont, 

53 

530,000 

Massachusetts. 

Berkshire, 

21 

600,000 

Boston  and  Lowell, 

28 

1,945,647 

Boston  and  Maine, 

83 

4,021,607 

Boston  and  Providence, 

53 

3,416,233 

Boston  and  Worcester, 

69 

4,882,648 

Cape  Cod  Branch, 

29 

626,543 

Connecticut  River, 

52 

1,798,825 

Dorchester  and  Milton, 

3 

128,172 

Eastern,  (including  Eastern 

. 

(N.  H.)  which  is  operated 

by  the  former.) 

75 

3,624,152 

Essex, 

21 

537,869 

Fall  River, 

42 

1,068,167 

Fitchburg, 

66 

3,552,283 

Fitchburg  and  Worcester, 

14 

259,074 

Grand  Junction, 

6 

i 

763,844 

Harvard  Branch, 

1 

26,213 

Lexington  and  West  Cambridge, 

7 

242,161 

Lowell  and  Lawrence, 

12 

333,254 

Nashua  and  Lowell, 

15 

621,215 

New  Bedford  and  Taunton, 

21 

498,752 

Newburyport, 

9 

106,825 

Norfolk  County, 

26 

1,060,990 

Old  Colony, 

45 

2,293,535 

Peterboro’  and  Shirley, 

14 

272,647 

Pittsfield  and  North  Adams, 

18 

443,678 

Providence  and  Worcester, 

43 

1,824,797 

Salem  and  Lowell, 

17 

316,943 

South  Reading  Branch, 

8 

231,601 

South  Shore, 

11 

420,434 

Stockbridge  and  Pittsfield, 

22 

448,700 

Stoney  Brook, 

13 

265,527 

Stoughton  Branch, 

4 

93,433 

Taunton  Branch, 

12 

307,136 

Troy  and  Greenfield, 

67 

Vermont  and  Massachusetts, 

77 

3,406,244 

Western, 

156 

9,963,709 

West  Stockbridge, 

3 

41,516 

Worcester  and  Nashua, 

46 

1,410,198 

Rhode  Island. 

Plainfield  and  Providence, 

30 

Providence  and  Stonington, 

50 

2,614,484 

263 


Connecticut . 


Collingsville  Branch, 

Hartford  and  New  Haven, 
Hartford,  Providence  and  Fishkill, 
Housatonic, 

Housatonic  Branch, 

Middletown  Branch, 

Naugatuc, 

New  Haven  and  Northampton, 
New  London,  Williamantic  and 
Palmer, 

New  London  and  New  Haven, 
New  York  and  New  Haven, 
Norwich  and  W orcester, 

Stonington  and  New  London, 

Total  in  Connecticut, 


11 

$  275,000 

62 

1,650,000 

32 

1,500,000 

110 

2,500,000 

11 

275,000 

10 

250,000 

62 

2,000,000 

45 

1,500,000 

66 

55 

1,250,000 

76 

3,700,085 

66 

10 

2,598,514 

551 

65 

$17,498,599 

RECAPITULATION. 


States. 

No.  Roads  includ¬ 
ing  Branches. 

No.  of  miles  in  ope¬ 
ration. 

No.  of  miles  in 
course  of  construc¬ 
tion. 

Cost. 

Maine, 

10 

281 

179 

$6,695,518 

New  Hampshire, 

15 

455 

58 

16,145,755 

Vermont, 

9 

366 

168 

13,467,013 

Massachusetts, 

37 

1142 

67 

51,884,572 

Rhode  Island, 

2 

50 

30 

2,614,484 

Connecticut, 

13 

551 

65 

17,498,599 

87 

2845 

567 

$106,305,941 

[From  the  Boston  Daily  Evening  Transcript.] 

TABLE,  showing  the  Gross  Receipts  and  the  Number  of  Passengers  on  the  Massachusetts 

Railroads ,  for  the  years  1848,  1849  and  1850. 


264 


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Total,  -  -  -  -  |  $  5,908,144  l  $  6,421,947  I  $  6,903,328  7,333,870  |  8,633,230  |  8,973,681 


265 


[From  the  Daily  Evening  Traveller.] 

STEAMERS. 

“  The  following  tables,  carefully  prepared  from  official  documents, 
will  show  the  amount  of  freight  business,  which  has  been  done  by  the 
British  Cunard  line  of  Steamships,  from  the  time  when  the  line  com¬ 
menced  running  to  Boston,  in  1840,  to  the  first  of  January  last. 

“  The  original  design  contemplated  little  beyond  the  transportation 
of  the  mails  and  passengers.  Hence,  the  freights  were  very  small 
during  the  first  year,  and  the  duties  trifling.  From  the  small  amount 
paid  in  1840,  namely,  2,928  dollars,  the  duties  have  swelled  to 
1,322,383  dollars, — the  amount  paid  last  year.  The  smallest  amount 
ever  paid  by  any  one  steamer,  was  29  dollars  and  38  cents  only,  by 
the  Acadia,  on  her  first  trip  in  1840.  The  largest  amount  was  paid 
by  the  America,  in  February,  1850,  namely,  217,483  dollars.  There 
have  been  eight  arrivals  which  paid  over  100,000  dollars,  and  three 
which  have  paid  over  200,000  dollars  each.  The  Hibernia,  the 
Cambria,  and  the  Caledonia,  have  each  paid  over  a  million  of  dollars 
revenue  to  the  government.  It  is  probable  that  during  the  whole 
time,  the  steamers  have  brought  to  Boston,  12,000  passengers.” 

TABLE, 

Showing  the  number  of  trips  made  by  each  steamer  annually,  from 
1840,  to  1851,  and  the  amount  of  duties  paid  by  each,  during  the 
year. 


Duties  Paid. 

Year. 

! 

No.  of  Trips. 

Amount. 

By  the  Acadia, 

Britannia, 

1840, 

3 

$1,473.06 

3 

864.17 

Caledonia, 

2 

591.76 

Acadia, 

1841, 

5 

21,312.94 

Britannia, 

T* 

0 

14,592.32 

Caledonia, 

1841, 

5 

16,925.37 

Columbia, 

6 

20,978.60 

Acadia, 

1842, 

4 

21,417.48 

Britannia, 

6 

46,415.32 

Caledonia, 

4 

23,492.65 

Columbia, 

4 

29,649.22 

Acadia, 

1843, 

5 

133,617.53 

Britannia, 

3 

103.817.84 

Caledonia, 

5 

132,845.24 

Columbia, 

2 

33,932.11 

Hibernia, 

5 

236,359.33 

198,511.04 

Acadia, 

1844, 

0 

Britannia, 

5 

186,289.29 

172,900.68 

Caledonia, 

5 

Hibernia, 

5 

358,497.29 

34 


266 


Duties  Paid. 

Year. 

No.  of  Trips. 

Amount. 

By  the  Acadia, 

1845, 

2 

$93,510.05 

Britannia, 

4 

152,262.38 

Caledonia, 

4 

127,547,78 

Cambria, 

6 

361,598.42 

Hibernia, 

4 

288,074.12 

Acadia, 

1846, 

1 

26,860.36 

Britannia, 

i 

4 

149,351.23 

Caledonia, 

5 

171,701.50 

Cambria, 

5 

351,679.23 

Hibernia, 

5 

348,139.34 

Acadia, 

1847, 

1 

37,546.12 

Britannia, 

4 

161,910.70 

Caledonia, 

4 

146,164.07 

Cambria, 

5 

382,946.35 

Hibernia, 

6 

471,404.54 

Acadia, 

1848, 

5 

134,963.59 

Britannia, 

Caledonia, 

4 

105,627.12 

3 

79,312.83 

Cambria, 

2 

70,473.14 

Hibernia, 

2 

71,954.31 

Niagara, 

4 

142,930.06 

America, 

1 

15,200.60 

Europa, 

1 

28,716.85 

America, 

1849, 

4 

252,791.93 

Caledonia, 

5 

138,180.56 

Cambria, 

4 

199,789.97 

Canada, 

1 

40,426.91 

Hibernia, 

2 

62,522.08 

Niagara, 

2 

172,034.27 

Europa, 

America, 

4 

95,962.79 

1850, 

4 

380,980.95 

Asia, 

2 

131,827.20 

Cambria, 

3 

81,275.75 

Canada, 

4 

93,492.15 

Hibernia, 

3 

83,432.10 

Niagara, 

Europa, 

3 

444,795.65 

2 

106,579.50 

Asia, 

1851, 

1 

27,758.75 

America, 

5 

383,158.95 

Cambria, 

2 

50,667.55 

Canada, 

7 

588,147.15 

Europa, 

5 

472,102.45 

Niagara, 

3 

283,224.45 

267 


SUMMARY  OF  THE  FOREGOING  TABLE. 


Year. 

Trips  Made. 

Duties  Paid. 

In  1840, 

8 

$  2,928.99 

In  1841, 

21 

73,809.23 

In  1842, 

18 

120,974.67 

In  1843, 

20 

640,572.05 

In  1844, 

20 

916,198.30 

In  1845, 

20 

1,022,992.75 

In  1846, 

20 

1,047,731.75 

In  1847, 

20 

1,199,971.78 

In  1848, 

22 

649,178.50 

In  1849, 

22 

961,708.51 

In  1850, 

21 

1,322,383.30 

In  1851, 

23 

1,805,059.30 

235 

$9,763,509.13 

TABLE  OF  DISTANCES. 

From  Liverpool,  via  Halifax. 

To  Halifax  by  Steamer,  - 

Quebec  (via  proposed  railroad  from  Halifax) 
Melbourne,  ------- 

Montreal,  ------- 

Toronto,  ------- 

Detroit,  ------- 

Chicago,  ------- 

Galena,  ------- 

From  Liverpool,  via  Boston . 

To  Boston  by  Steamer,  -  -  -  -  - 

Montreal,  by  Railroad  from  Boston,  - 
Albany  “  “  “ 

Buffalo,  by  Railroad  from  Albany,  - 
Detroit,  through  Rochester,  Niagara  and  London, 

(C.  W.) . 

Cleveland,  by  Railroad  through  Albany,  and  Buffalo, 
Chicago,  via  Cleveland,  -  -  -  -  - 

Galena,  -------- 

Cincinnati,  via  Buffalo,  Cleveland  and  Columbus, 

St.  Louis,  via  Cleveland,  Bellefontaine  and  Indi¬ 
anapolis,  ------- 


2,500 

miles* 

3,135 

3,225 

a 

t( 

3,300 

a 

3,620 

a 

3,870 

it 

4,150 

4,333 

a 

a 

2,900  miles* 

3,226 

a 

3,100 

it 

3,421 

a 

3,671 

a 

3,596 

tt 

3,947 

a 

4,130 

a 

3,852 

a 

4,097 

tt 

268 


From  Liverpool ,  via  Neiv  York. 

To  New  York  by  Steamer,  - 

Albany,  (by  Hudson  River  Railroad) 

Montreal,  by  shortest  proposed  route, 

Buffalo,  via  Albany,  -  -  -  - 

Detroit,  via  Albany,  Niagara  and  New  London 
(C.  W.)  -  -  - 

To  Cleveland,  via  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburg  (short¬ 
est  route,)  ------- 

Chicago,  via  Cleveland,  - 

Galena,  ------- 

Cincinnati,  via  Philadelphia,  and  proposed  Rail¬ 
road  through  Wheeling,  between  Pittsburg  and 
Columbus,  ------- 

St.  Louis,  via  Pittsburg  and  Bellefontaine,  - 


3,100  miles. 
3,244  “ 
3,475  “ 

3,565  “ 

3,315  “ 

3,683  “ 
4,034  “ 
4,217  “ 


3,854  « 
4,139  “ 


Note.  In  the  Report  to  the  Stockholders  of  the  East  Boston  Company,  re¬ 
ceived  after  the  above  table  was  prepared,  the  Agent  of  the  Cunard  line  of  Steam¬ 
ships,  gives  the  distances  from  Liverpool,  by  Steamer,  as  follows,  viz : 

To  Halifax, .  2,508  miles. 

To  Boston,  direct, .  2,856  “ 

To  New  York,  direct, .  3,073  “ 

Were  these  distances  adopted,  instead  of  those  in  the  table,  the  comparison 
would  be  still  more  favorable  to  Boston. 


The  following  statistics  were  taken  by  the  Day  and  Night  Police 
force,  on  Saturday,  September  6th,  1851,  under  the  direction  of  the 
City  Marshal.  The  force,  consisting  of  55  men,  was  stationed  at  6^ 
o’clock,  A.  M.,  and  continued  without  intermission  to  keep  regular 
count,  until  1\  P.  M. 

The  vehicles  which  entered  the  City  by  the  various  routes,  not  in¬ 
cluding  those  that  came  from  East  or  South  Boston,  numbered  6,626. 
The  number  that  went  out,  7,063. 

The  number  of  Railway  Passenger  Trains,  which  entered  the  City, 
was  116.  The  number  that  went  out,  120.  The  number  of  Freight 
Trains,  which  entered,  was  39.  The  number  that  went  out,  38. 
Total  Passenger  and  Freight  Trains,  313. 

41,729  persons  came  into  the  City,  and  42,313  persons  went  out, 
as  follows : 


By  Passenger  Trains,  - 

CAME  IN. 

11,963 

WENT  OUT. 

12,952 

Freight  Trains, 

308 

307 

Vehicles, 

14,942 

15,964 

On  Foot,  - 

14,310 

12,887 

On  Horseback, 

127 

124 

With  Handcarts,  - 

79 

79 

Total,  41,729  persons.  42,313  persons. 


269 


FOREIGN  COMMERCE. 


Year. 

Foreign 

Arrivals. 

Imports. 

Exports. 

Duties. 

1842 

1,738 

$12,633,713 

$7,226,104 

$2,780,186 

1843 

1,716 

20,662,567 

7,265,712 

3,491,019 

1844 

2,174 

22,141,788 

8,294,726 

9,370,851 

5,934,945 

1845 

2,305 

21,591,877 

5,249,634 

1846 

2,090 

21,284,800 

8,245,524 

4,872,570 

1847 

2,739 

28,279,651 

12,118,587 

10,001,819 

5,448,362 

1848 

3,009 

23,388,475 

4,908.872 

1849 

3,111 

24,117,175 

8,843,974 

5,031,995 

1850 

2,885 

29,909,376 

9,332,306 

6,127,817 

1851 

2,872 

31,850,558 

9,342,336 

6,496,527 

SHIPPING  OF  BOSTON. — TONNAGE. 


Year. 

Registered. 

Enrolled. 

Total. 

1842 

157,116 

36,385 

193,502 

1843 

165,482 

37,116 

202,599 

1844 

175,330 

35,554 

210,885 

1845 

187,812 

37,290 

228,103 

1846 

192,879 

42,185 

235,064 

1847 

210,775 

44,038 

254,812 

1848 

232,769 

45,100 

277,869 

1849 

247,336 

45,123 

292,459 

1850 

270,710 

42,482 

313,192 

1851 

298,776 

44,532 

343,308 

FISHERIES. 

In  1849,  204,000  barrels  of  Whale  and  Sperm  Oil,  three  fifths  of 
the  entire  Fishery  of  the  Union,  were  brought  into  Massachusetts ; 
also,  231,856  barrels  of  Mackerel.  A. large  portion  of  these  imports 
find  their  way  to  Boston. 

For  more  than  a  century,  Boston  has  been  the  chief  mart  for  the 
sale  of  dried  Fish,  and  a  large  proportion  of  the  Fishermen  engaged 
in  both  the  Cod  and  Mackerel  fishery,  resort  to  Boston,  for  outfits  and 
sales. 


270 


CATTLE  TRADE. 

Large  sales  of  Live  Stock  are  made  weekly  at  Brighton,  near  Bos¬ 
ton,  brought  principally  from  other  States,  by  Railway.  Many 
Horses  are  also  brought  by  the  same  conveyance.  Cattle  are  killed 
in  the  environs. 


SALES  AT  BRIGHTON. 


[Compiled  from  the  Daily  Advertiser.] 


Year. 

Beef  Cattle. 

Store  Cattle. 

Sheep. 

Swine. 

Total  estimated 

amount  of  sales. 

1845 

48,910 

13,275 

107,960 

56,890 

$1,893,648 

1846 

38,670 

15,164 

105,350 

44,940 

1,871,113 

1847 

43,425 

20,738 

133,550 

62,015 

2,719,462 

1848 

40,784 

20,550 

146,755 

87,690 

2,830,302 

1849 

46,465 

20,085 

148,955 

80,120 

2,976,265 

1850 

42,830 

27,820 

164,170 

78,330 

2, 989,902 

1851 

53,020 

23,810 

183,880 

80,830 

3,502,320 

Another  large  Market  for  Cattle  and  other  Live  Stock,  is  now  held 
weekly  at  Cambridge.  Large  quantities  of  Pork  in  bulk  are  in  the 
winter  conveyed  by  railway  to  Boston,  from  the  interior  of  New 
York. 


EXPANSION  OF  BOSTON. 

“  A  peninsula  less  than  one  square  mile  in  extent,  was  soon  found 
insufficient  for  Boston  ;  and  the  State,  in  1804,  annexed  to  her  Dor¬ 
chester  Point,  a  peninsula  containing  about  six  hundred  acres.  To 
this  she  is  wedded  by  two  travelled,  besides  railroad,  bridges.  At  a 
latter  period,  ferries  were  established  to  Noddle’s  Island,  an  area  of 
six  hundred  acres,  and  this  island  now  forms  a  ward  of  the  city,  and 
is  named  East  Boston.  Some  hundred  acres  have  also  been  reclaimed 
from  the  sea;  but  these  narrow  limits,  less  than  two  miles  square, 
proved  entirely  inadequate,  and  have  been  long  exceeded.” 

“  The  population  of  Boston,  outside  of  her  chartered  limits,  already 
equals  the  population  within.  We  should  do  injustice  to  Boston, 
were  we  to  confine  her  to  such  narrow  bounds,  or  within  such  arbitra¬ 
ry  lines.  Her  true  limits  as  a  commercial  metropolis,  are  those 
marked  out  by  her  business  men  for  their  stores,  piers,  shops  and 
dwellings — the  space  occupied  by  those  who  resort  daily  to  her  banks 
and  warehouses,  or  meet  at  her  exchange.  How  is  it  with  her  sister 
cities  ?  Philadelphia,  by  the  last  census,  embraced  within  her  char¬ 
tered  limits  less  than  half  her  inhabitants ;  the  residue  were  diffused 
through  the  extensive  districts  of  Spring  Garden,  Moyamensing,  and 


271 


Northern  Liberties.  She  virtually  extends,  under  different  charters, 
from  Richmond,  six  miles  down  the  Delaware.” 

“New  York  reaches  fourteen  miles  from  King’s  Bridge  to  the 
Battery.” 

“  New  Orleans  embraces  three  distinct  municipalities,  on  the  cres¬ 
cent  of  the  Mississippi.” 

“London,  the  queen  of  commerce,  contains  but  six  hundred  acres, 
and  less  than  one  hundred  and  thirty  thousand  people  in  her  chartered 
limits ;  but  her  streets  stretch  eight  miles  on  the  Thames.  Within 
her  metropolitan  districts  are  eighteen  square  miles  of  buildings,  and 
three  millions  of  people.” 

“  Boston,  with  less  scope  than  New  York,  has,  like  New  Orleans, 
Philadelphia  and  London,  overstept  her  ‘  sea  girt  isles.’  She  has  at¬ 
tached  herself  to  the  main  by  one  wide  natural  avenue,  the  Neck, 
paved  and  planted  with  trees  ;  by  one  granite  structure,  the  Western 
Avenue,  a  mile  and  a  half  in  length ;  by  six  bridges,  seven  railways, 
and  three  ferries,  one  terminating  in  a  railway.  Seven  railways 
branch  into  sixteen,  and  ten  avenues  divide  into  thirty,  within  the 
first  nine  miles  from  her  Exchange.  These  diverge  like  a  fan,  and 
on  the  streets  thus  made,  is  found  a  large  population  under  separate 
municipalities.  As  land  rises  in  value,  hotels,  offices,  and  blocks  of 
stores  usurp  the  place  of  dwellings.  The  old  residents,  leaving  the 
low  and  reclaimed  land  to  foreign  laborers,  plant  themselves  in  the 
suburbs.  There  they  build  tasteful  houses,  with  flower  plats  and  gar¬ 
dens,  availing  of  the  frequent  omnibuses,  or  of  special  trains,  run 
almost  hourly,  and  commuting  for  passage  at  $20  to  $40  a  year,  they 
reach  their  stores  and  offices  in  the  morning,  and  at  night  sleep  with 
their  wives  and  children  in  the  suburbs.  No  time  is  lost,  for  they 
read  the  morning  and  evening  journals  as  they  go  and  return.  Some 
of  the  wards  appropriate  for  stores,  thus  rise  in  value,  but  diminish 
in  population.  The  suburbs  extend,  and  the  commercial  community 
grows  in  a  widening  semicircle.” 

Dr.  Lardner  well  remarks,  in  his  late  treatise  on  railways,  “  The 
population  of  a  great  capital  is  condensed  into  a  small  compass,  by 
the  difficulty  and  inconvenience  of  passing  over  long  distances  ;  hence 
has  arisen  the  densely  populated  state  of  great  cities  like  London  and 
Paris.  If  the  speed,  by  which  persons  can  be  transported  from  place 
to  place,  be  doubled,  the  same  population  can,  without  inconvenience, 
be  spread  over  four  times  the  area ;  if  the  speed  be  tripled,  it  may 
occupy  nine  times  the  area.” 

“  Boston,  the  first  of  our  American  cities  to  adopt  improved  modes 
of  locomotion — instance  her  early  Stages,  her  Middlesex  Canal,  and 
Quincy  Railway, — is  entitled  to  avail  of  these  laws  of  science,  and  in 
computing  her  population  and  wealth,  should  embrace  the  surround¬ 
ing  districts  within  nine  miles,  or  half  an  hour’s  distance,  equivalent 
to  a  two  miles’  walk  from  her  exchange.” 


272 


TABLE  OF  INCREASE  OF  POPULATION  AND  WEALTH  OF  BOSTON 

AND  VICINITY. 

The  following  table  exhibits  the  population  and  wealth  of  the  metro- 
politian  district  of  Boston,  by  the  census  and  valuation  of  1850  and 
1840,  with  the  growth  of  each. 

This  district  is  sixteen  miles  in  length,  by  nine  and  a  half  average 
width  ;  about  one  fourth  of  it  is  occupied  by  water,  marsh,  or  rocky 
hills,  too  steep  for  building. 


Name  of  District. 

Distance 
from  Ex¬ 
change. 

Popula¬ 
tion  by 
State 
Census, 
1840. 

Popula¬ 
tion  by 
U.  States 
Census, 
1840. 

Popula¬ 
tion  by 
State 
Census, 
1850. 

Assessed  Valu¬ 
ation,  1840. 

Assessed  Valu¬ 
ation,  1850. 

Boston, 

83,979 

93,383 

138,788 

$  94,581,600 

$  179,525,000 

Roxbury, 

2 

8,310 

9,087 

18,316 

3,257,503 

13,712,800 

Charlestown, 

2 

10,872 

11,484 

15,933 

4.033,176 

8,862,250 

Cambridge, 

3 

8,127 

8,409 

14,825 

4,479,501 

11,434,458 

Brookline, 

3 

1,123 

1,365 

2,353 

743,963 

5,382,000 

Chelsea, 

3 

2,182 

2,390 

6,151 

696,781 

3,472,650 

Dorchester, 

4 

4,458 

4,875 

7,578 

1,691,245 

7,199,750 

Malden, 

4 

3,027 

3,351 

5,017 

586,136 

1,461,436 

Medford, 

4 

2,275 

2,478 

3,581 

1,095,195 

2,128,470 

Brighton, 

5 

1,405 

1,425 

2,253 

458,485 

1,146,212 

Somerville, 

5 

new 

new 

3,110 

new 

2,778,125 

West  Cambridge, 

5 

1,338 

1,363 

2,120 

472,423 

2,330,281 

North  Chelsea, 

5 

new 

new 

819 

new 

772,000 

Melrose, 

5 

new 

new 

1,190 

new 

483,419 

Watertown, 

6 

1,896 

1,810 

2,592 

973,835 

2,614,100 

Winchester, 

6 

new 

new 

1,320 

new 

866,432 

Stoneham, 

6 

1,007 

1,017 

2,043 

217,960 

539,000 

Milton, 

7 

1,684 

1,822 

2,222 

663,247 

1,200,800 

Woburn, 

i 

2,931 

2,993 

3,788 

987,388 

2,241,144 

Quincy, 

8 

3,309 

3,486 

4,958 

912,105 

2,200,000 

Saugus, 

8 

1,212 

1,098 

1,505 

208,856 

359,305 

Dedham, 

9 

3,157 

3,290 

4,379 

1,218,548 

3,509,180 

Newton, 

9 

3,027 

3,351 

5,017 

897,255 

3,793,083 

Waltham, 

9 

2,593 

2,504 

4,483 

1,069,171 

2,973,750 

Lexington, 

9 

1,559 

1,642 

1,920 

561,549 

1,469,551 

Lynn, 

9 

9,075 

9,367 

13,613 

1,319,656 

4,191,648 

158,546 

171,992 

269,874 

$  120.1 14,574 

$  266,646,844 

273 


CITY  TAXES. 

The  Amount  Assessed  for  Taxes  has  been  as  follows : — 


Years. 

Amount  of  tax 

assessed.* 

Rate  on 
$1,000. 

Property  assessed. 

1840 

$  546,742 

$5.50 

$  94,581,600 

1841 

616,412 

6.00 

98,006,600 

1842 

637,779 

5.70 

105,723,700 

1843 

712,379 

6.20 

110,056,000 

1844 

744,210 

6.00 

118,450,300 

1845 

811,338 

5  70 

135,948,700 

1846 

931,998 

6.90 

141,839,600 

1847 

1,014,674 

6.00 

162,360,400 

1848 

1,131,821 

6.50 

167,728,000 

1849 

1,174,715 

6.50 

174,180,200 

1850 

1,236,030 

6.80 

179,525,000 

1851 

1,358,296 

7.00 

187,947,000 

*  The  amount  of  tax  assessed  includes  the  Poll  Tax. 


Number  of  Polls,  and  State  Valuation  of  Personal  and  Real  Estate 
in  Massachusetts,  for  the  years  1840  and  1850. 


Counties. 

Valuation  op  1840. 

Valuation  op  1850. 

Polls. 

Property. 

Polls. 

Property. 

Suffolk, 

Essex, 

Middlesex, 

Worcester, 

Hampshire, 

Hampden, 

F  ranklin, 

Berkshire, 

Norfolk, 

Bristol, 

Plymouth, 

Barnstable, 

Dukes, 

Nantucket, 

19,078 

24,006 

28,045 

25,859 

7.934 

9.935 
7,500 

10,911 

14,041 

14,821 

12,140 

8,002 

1,104 

2,532 

$110,000,000.00 

31,110,204.00 

37,592,082.00 

29,804,316.00 

7,298,351.00 

10,188,423.71 

6,548,694.00 

9,546,926.76 

15,522,527.00 

19,493,685.84 

10,694,719.00 

4,896,683.00 

1,107,343.00 

6,074,374.00 

33,705 

30,816 

39,819 

34,671 

8,855 

13,439 

7,866 

12,264 

19,630 

18,382 

14,410 

8,104 

1,162 

2,019 

$217,587,172.00 

56,556,466.89 

83,264,719.50 

55,497,794.00 

13,331,240.00 

22,621,220.77 

11,211,309.00 

17,197,607.00 

47,034,521.56 

39,243,560.00 

19,200,668.00 

8,897,349.74 

1,698,005.00 

4,595,362.00 

Total, 

185,908 

$299,878,329.31 

245,142 

$597,936,995.46 

35 


274 


MANUFACTURES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 


The  products  of  the  principal  branches  in  1845  were, — 


Miscellaneous,  ------ 

Boots,  Shoes  and  Leather,  - 

Cotton  Goods,  (817,473  spindles)  - 

Woollen  and  Worsted  Goods,  - 

Manufactures  of  Wood,  including  ships  and  carriages, 

Manufactures  of  Metals,  Tools,  &c., 

Oil,  Candles  and  Soap,  ------ 

Hats,  Caps  and  Bonnets,  - 

Paper,  --------- 

Cordage,  -------- 

Glass,  --------- 


$  19,357,000 
18,635,000 
12,193,000 
10,366,000 
11,596,000 
8,024,000 
4,931,000 
2,384,000 
1,750,000 
906,000 
758,000 


Total, . $91,000,000 

No  valuation  of  the  same  products  has  been  taken  since  1845,  but 
it  is  believed  their  increase  since  that  time,  is  not  less  than  30  per 
cent. 


STATEMENT,  showing  the  Progress  of  Agricultural  Imports  into  the  United  States  from  Canada ,  by 
Inland  Ports ,  for  the  years  1840,  1845,  1849,  and  up  to  September  30 th,  1850,  distinguishing  the 


275 


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276 


Statement,  of  the  aggregate  value  of  Imports  into  the  United  States , 
from  Canada ,  as  entered  in  the  Custom  House  Boohs ,  at  the  following 
ports  of  entry,  for  the  year  ending  December  31  st,  1850. 


District  and  Port  of  Chicago,  - 

District  and  Port  of  Detroit,  - 

District  of  Miami  and  Port  of  Toledo,  - 

District  and  Port  of  Sandusky, . 

District  of  Cuyahoga  and  Port  of  Cleveland, 

District  of  Presque  Isle  and  Port  of  Erie,  - 
District  and  Port  of  Buffalo  Creek,  - 
District  of  Niagara  and  Port  of  Lewiston,  - 
District  of  Genesee  and  Port  of  Rochester,  - 
District  and  Port  of  Oswego,  - 
District  and  Port  of  Sackett’s  Harbor,  - 
District  and  Port  of  Cape  Vincent,  - 
District  of  Oswegatchie  and  Port  of  Ogdensburg,  - 
District  of  Champlain  and  Port  of  Plattsburg, 

District  of  Vermont  and  Port  of  Burlington, 

District  of  Bath,  in  Maine,  including  line  of  Canada 
Railroad,  -  --  --  --  - 


$  4,345 

103,556 
16,771 
31,452 
237,177 
2,831 
446,900 
61,807 
100,189 
2,087,622 
26,137 
53,079 
211,925 
314,555 
821,094 

4,866 


Total,  - 

-  $4,524,306 

COMMERCE  OF  CANADA,  1850. 

EXPOETS. 

IMPORTS. 

Great  Britain, . 

North  American  Colonies, .... 

British  West  Indies, . 

United  States  of  America,  .  . 

Other  Foreign  Countries,  .  .  .  . 

$  6,085,119.05 
808,776.25 
8,376.00 
4,951,159.58 
108,281.27 

$  9,631,920.80 
385,619.90 
4,451.85 
6,594,860.48 
365,215.67 

Total, . 

$11,961,712.15 

$16,982,068.70 

CONCLUSIONS  AND  SUMMARY  STATEMENTS. 

An  inspection  of  the  foregoing  tables  and  statements,  will  show  that 
Massachusetts  has,  up  to  this  time,  constructed  1,150  miles  of  Railroad, 
at  a  cost  of  $52,000,000  ;  and  that  the  other  New  England  States  have 
constructed  over  1,700  miles  more,  at  a  cost  of  $55,000,000.  To 
these  might  be  added  the  Northern  N.  Y.  (or  Ogdensburg)  Railroad, 
which  is  virtually  a  New  England  road,  making  a  total  of  about 
3,000  miles  of  Railroad,  constructed  at  a  cost  of  upwards  of  1 10,000,000. 

The  gross  earnings  in  1850,  of  all  the  Railroads  in  Massachusetts, 
and  of  those  that  are  partly  in  Massachusetts  and  partly  in  adjoining 


277 


States,  were  $6,903,328.  The  next  earnings  during  the  same  time, 
were  $3,480,347.  The  cost  of  these  Roads  was  $53,264,000.  The 
net  income  was  therefore  more  than  6  per  cent,  on  the  total  cost. 

The  number  of  passengers  transported  over  these  Roads  during  the 
same  time,  was  8,973,681,  which  gives  an  average  of  28,761  a  day, 
for  312  days. 

The  annual  amount  of  duties,  paid  on  freight  brought  by  the  Cunard 
Steamers  to  Boston,  shows  a  constant  yearly  increase  from  $73,809, 
in  1841,  to  $1,322,383,  in  1850,  except  for  the  year  1848,  when  the 
New  York  freight  by  the  Steamers  ceased  to  pass  through  Boston, 
and  the  amount  of  duties  declined  from  $1,199,972  to  $649,178. 

Assuming  Liverpool  as  the  starting  point  from  Europe,  for  the 
trade  of  the  Canadas  and  the  Great  West,  the  “Table  of  Distances” 
shows  that  Boston  is  on  the  shortest  route,  for  a  very  extensive  terri¬ 
tory,  including  the  cities  of  Montreal,  Albany,  Buffalo,  Cleveland, 
Kingston,  Toronto,  Detroit,  Chicago,  St.  Louis  and  Galena.  If  the 
exact  distances  across  the  Atlantic,  given  by  the  Agent  of  the  Cunard 
Line,  and  the  improvements  they  are  making  between  Albany  and 
Buffalo,  by  which  it  is  said  the  present  travelled  route  will  be  short¬ 
ened  30  miles,  be  taken  into  account,  even  Cincinnati  will  be  50  miles 
nearer  Liverpool,  through  Boston,  than  through  any  other  important 
seaport.  If  Cincinnati  be  nearer,  it  follows  that  every  other  point 
below  on  the  Ohio  River  must  be.  These  are  natural  advantages, 
which  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  geographical  position  of  Boston, 
and  of  the  topographical  features  of  the  territory  embraced  in  this 
comparison,  will  show,  can  never  be  taken  from  this  City. 

As  Steamers  on  the  Ocean,  and  Railways  on  Land,  are  now  the 
modes  which  must  be  adopted  by  all  who  would  compete  successfully 
for  the  commerce  of  Great  Britain  and  this  Country,  nothing  but  a 
failure  of  that  enterprise  which  has  ever  characterized  this  City  can 
prevent  Boston  from  securing  her  full  share. 

The  Foreign  Commerce  of  Boston,  including  exports  and  imports,  has 
increased  from  $19,859,817  in  1842,  to  $39,241,682  in  1850.  Its  Ship¬ 
ping  has  increased  during  the  same  time,  from  193,502  tons,  to  312,192 
tons.  The  expansion  and  growth  of  population  and  wealth  of  Boston 
and  the  neighboring  towns,  in  which  the  families  of  so  many  of  her 
business  men  reside,  has  been  very  remarkable  during  the  last  ten 
years.  In  1840,  the  population  of  this  district  was,  by  the  State  Cen¬ 
sus,  158,546 ;  by  the  same  Census  in  1850,  it  was  269,874.  The 
assessed  valuation  in  1840,  was  $120,114,574,  in  1850  it  was  $266,- 
646,844.  This  population  and  wealth  must  preserve  to  Boston  her 
station  among  the  three  first  cities  of  the  Union. 

The  rapid  growth  of  Boston  and  vicinity,  has  not  been  at  the  ex¬ 
pense  of  the  rest  of  the  State  ;  for  the  population  of  Massachusetts 
has  increased  from  737,700  in  1840,  to  948,665  in  1850,  by  the  U. 
S.  Census  ;  and  her  property  valuation,  from  $229,828,399,  to  $597,- 
936,995,  or  about  double  the  former  amount. 

The  imports  from  Canada,  by  Inland  Ports  into  this  Country,  have 
increased  in  value,  from  $5,204,  in  1840,  to  $1,860,636,  for  three 
quarters  of  1850,  or  to  about  $2,500,000  per  annum.  If  this  remark¬ 
able  increase  took  place  before  our  Railway  system  reached  the  Can- 


278 


adas,  what  may  not  be  expected,  now  that  it  is  completed  and  in 
operation  both  to  Montreal  and  to  Ogdensburg  ? 

On  the  accompanying  map  will  be  found  a  plan  of  “  Boston  Har¬ 
bor  and  Railroad  Termini.”  An  inspection  of  it  will  show  how  all 
the  Railroads  entering  the  City  have  been,  or  may  be,  connected,  by 
means  of  the  Grand  Junction  Railroad,  and  the  proposed  Horse 
Track  along  the  heads  of  the  wharves  in  the  City  Proper.  As  the 
increasing  commerce  of  the  City  will  require  enlarged  wharf  facili¬ 
ties,  this  plan  will  show  the  extent  of  water  front,  partially  or  wholly 
unoccupied,  in  South  and  East  Boston,  in  both  of  which  it  is  proposed 
to  extend  greatly  the  lines  of  wharves  and  docks,  so  that  the  accommo¬ 
dations  for  shipping  may  be  kept  equal  to  the  greatest  probable  de¬ 
mand.  The  Harbor  of  Boston  has  ,-H sufficient  water  front,  susceptible 
of  improvement,  to  accommodate  all  the  shipping  of  the  Union. 


279 


GOVERNMENT 

OP  THE 

CITY  OF  BOSTON, 

1851. 


MAYOR, 

JOHN  PRESCOTT  BIGELOW. 


ALDERMEN, 

HENRY  BROMFIELD  ROGERS, 
BILLINGS  BRIGGS, 

MOSES  GRANT, 

HENRY  MANNING  HOLBROOK, 
ABEL  B.  MUNROE, 

CALVIN  WHITING  CLARK, 
MOSES  KIMBALL, 

BENJAMIN  SMITH. 


COMMON  COUNCIL, 

FRANCIS  BRINLEY,  President. 
Ward  No.  1. 


John  Cushing, 
James  G.  Iiovey, 


Cyrus  Washburn, 
James  B.  Allen, 


Solomon  Carter, 
Hiram  Bosworth, 


Joel  M.  Holden, 
Charles  H.  Stearns. 

Ward  No.  2. 

William  H.  Calrow, 
Richard  Shackford. 

Ward  No.  3. 

Thomas  Sprague, 
Andrew  Abbott. 


280 


Ward  No.  4. 


Asa  Swallow, 
Henry  J.  Gardner, 


Janies  Lawrence, 
Harvey  Jewell. 


Benjamin  Beal, 
Avery  Plumer,  Jr., 


Ward  No.  5. 

Abraham  G.  Wyman, 
Ezekiel  Kendall. 


Henry  Lincoln, 
John  P.  Putnam, 


Ward  No.  6. 

Charles  Brown, 
Ebenezer  Dale. 


Francis  Brinley, 
James  W.  Sever, 


Ward  No.  7. 

David  Chapin, 

John  B.  Dexter,  Jr. 


John  M.  Wright, 
Daniel  N.  Haskell, 


Ward  No.  8. 

Oliver  B.  Dorrance, 
Francis  C.  Manning. 


Ward  No.  9. 

Hewell  A.  Thompson,  Francis  Bichards, 

Edward  S.  Erving,  Peter  C.  Jones. 


Ezra  Lincoln, 
Aaron  H.  Bean, 


Ward  No.  10. 


Otis  Kimball, 
Edward  Beed. 


Ward  No.  11. 

Bradley  N.  Cumings,  Andrew  J.  Loud, 

Albert  T.  Minot,  Theodore  P.  Hale. 


Ward  No.  12. 


Josiali  Dunham,  Jr., 
Joseph  Smith, 


Samuel  D.  Crane, 
Zibeon  Southard. 


281 


SCHOOL  COMMITTEE. 


John  P.  Bigelow,  Major,  Chairman ,  )  -p  „ 

Francis  Brinley,  Pres.  Common  Council ,  )  xWcns 

Ward  No.  l....Bev.  Edward  Beecher, 

Benson  Leavitt. 

2. . ..Dr.  William  H.  Thorndike, 

Silas  B.  Hahn. 

3.. .. Dr.  Edward  D.  G.  Palmer, 

Bev.  Pharcellus  Church. 

4. . ..Rev.  Samuel  K.  Lothrop, 

Rev.  Hubbard  Winslow. 

5.. .. Frederick  Emerson, 

Loring  Norcross. 

6.. .. 5.mpson  Reed, 

Frederick  U.  Tracy, 

7.. .. Hamilton  Willis, 

Dr.  Zabdiel  B.  Adams. 

8. . ..Rev.  J.  I.  T.  Coolidge, 

Samuel  W.  Bates. 

9.. .. Joseph  M.  Wightman, 

Samuel  E.  Guild. 

10. . ..Rev.  Joseph  B.  Felt, 

Rev.  George  M.  Randall. 

11.. .. William  H.  Foster, 

George  Eaton. 

12.. ..Alvan  Simonds, 

Francis  Alger. 

Samuel  F.  McCleary,  Jr.,  Secretary. 

36 


‘"-i 


> 


. 


INDEX. 


Address  of  William  Schouler,  Esq.,  to  the  President, 

Gov.  Boutwell  to  the  President,  - 
Hon.  Henry  Wilson  to  the  President,  on  his  arrival, 
Hon.  Henry  Wilson  to  the  President,  on  his  departure, 
Lieut.  Col.  Heard  to  the  President,  on  his  arrival, 
Lieut.  Col.  Heard  to  the  President,  on  his  departure, 
Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow  to  Lord  Elgin,  on  his  arrival,  - 
Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow  to  the  President,  on  his  arrival, 
Hon.  Marshall  P.  Wilder  to  the  President, 
the  Mayor  of  Boxbury  to  the  President, 
the  Canadian  Guests  to  the  City  Authorities 
Arrival,  at  Boston  Neck,  of  the  President, 

Dorchester,  of  the  President,  - 
Pali  Biver,  of  the  President, 

Newport,  of  the  President, 

Arrivals  at  the  Hotels, . 

Arrival  of  Lord  Elgin  and  Suite,  ... 


,  from, 


Baldwin,  Hon.  Boger  S.,  Letter  from, 

Baralgette,  Hon.  John,  Letter  from, 

Bigelow,  Mr.  Mayor,  Address  of,  to  Lord  Elgin, 

Address  of,  to  the  President, 

Speech  of,  at  Pavilion, 

Bigelow,  Bev.  Dr.  Andrew,  Prayer  of,  at  Pavilion, 

Boston,  Borough  of,  in  England,  transmission  of  Seals,  &c 
City  of,  Tabular  representation  of  condition  of, 

Commerce,  &c.,  of,  - 

Growth  of,  &c.,  - 

Taxes  in, . 

City  Government  of,  ... 

School  Committee  of, 

Number  of  arrivals  in,  and  departures  from,  on  a  particu 
lar  day,  - 

Boutwell,  Gov.  See  Address. 

General  Order  of,  - 

Presentation  of  Hon.  Charles  M.  Conrad  to, 

Presentation  of  Hon.  A.  H.  H.  Stewart  to, 

Presentation  of  Hon.  Daniel  Webster  to,  - 
President’s  visit  to,  - 
Speech  of,  at  Pavilion,  - 


Page. 

47 

71 
53 

187 

49 

187 

94 

63 

55 

58 
192 

59 
55 
53 
47 
51 

93 

210 

212 

94 
63 

160 

156 

203 

259 

269 

270 
273 
279 
281 

268 

45 

75 

77 

73 

72 
169 


i 


284 


Page. 


Burns,  Hon.  R.  E.,  Letter  from,  -  -  - 

Canada,  Imports  into  the  United  States  from,  in  certain  years, 
Commerce  of,  in  1850,  • 

Canadian  Guests,  Address  of,  - 

Meeting  of, . 

Ceremonies,  Proclamation  of  order  of, 

Circular  to  Citizens  of  Boston, . 

Clarke,  John  L.,  Esq.,  Letter  from, . 

Combs,  Hon.  Leslie,  Letter  from, . 

Committee  of  General  Court,  to  arrange  for  President’s  reception, 
Cunard  line  of  steamers  to  Boston,  business  of,  - 
Committee  of  City  Council  on  the  Celebration, 

Committees,  Sub,  appointed,  - 
Companies,  Military.  See  Escorts. 

Connecticut,  Letter  from  Governor  of, 

Conrad,  Hon.  Charles  M.,  Presentation  of,  to  the  Governor, 

Speech  of,  at  Pavilion,  ... 
Crampton,  John  E.,  Esq.,  Letter  of,  to  Mr.  Webster, 


212 

275 

276 
192 
216 

42 

21 

204 

214 

44 

265 

19 

20 

209 

77 

160 

201 


De  Blaquiere,  Hon.  P.  B.,  Letter  from,  - 
DeBoucherville,  Hon.  P.  B.,  Letter  from, 

Decorations,  &c.,  on  the  first  day  of  the  Jubilee, 
on  the  third  day  of  the  J ubilee,  - 

of  Pavilion, . 

Departure  of  Lord  Elgin  from  Boston,  - 
President  from  Boston,  - 

President  from  Newport,  - 

Dinner,  at  Pavilion,  on  third  day, . 

at  Revere  House,  on  first  day,  - 

on  board  the  flotilla,  on  second  day, 

Distances  between  certain  places  in  England  and  America, 
Distinguished  Guests.  See  Guests. 

Dorchester,  arrival  of  President  at,  - 

Draper,  Hon.  William  H.,  Letter  from, 


211 

214 

66 

112 

150 

191 

186 

53 

150 

79 

87 

267 

55 

212 


Elgin,  Lord,  Arrival  of, . 

Departure  of, . 

Introduction  of,  to  the  President, 

Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow’s  Address  to,  and  his  Lordship’s  Reply, 


Presentation  of  Bouquets  to,  - 

Speech  of,  at  Pavilion, . 

Diplomatic  correspondence  respecting  reception  of, 
Extract  from  reply  of,  to  authorities  of  Montreal, 


93 
191 

97 

94 

23,  125 
164 
201 
218 


Embarkation  of  Guests  for  the  harbor  excursion, 
Escorts,  Military  Companies  composing,  - 
Everett,  Hon.  Edward,  Speech  of,  at  Pavilion, 
Excursion.  See  Harbor. 


82,  84 
59,  103 

171 


Fairbanks,  Hon.  John  E.,  Letter  from, 
Fall  River,  President’s  arrrival  at, 


213 

53 


285 


Page. 

Fireworks, . 100,  189 

Flotilla,  Vessels  composing, . 82 

Proceedings  on  board  of, . 87 

-  Golden  Ring  of  Venice,  Communication  respecting,  -  -  -  219 

Governor.  See  Boutwell,  Governor. 

Guests,  Distinguished,  at  Pavilion, . 150 

at  the  Hotels, . 51 

on  board  the  Flotilla, . 87 

Grand  Junction  Railroad,  opening  of,  83 

account  of, . 244 

Harbor  of  Boston,  Excursion  in, . 81 

Heard,  Lieut.  Col.  See  Address. 

Hincks,  Hon.  Francis,  Speech  of,  at  Pavilion, . 182 

Howe,  Hon.  Joseph,  Speech  of,  at  Pavilion, . 185 

Hull,  Regatta  at,  .  -  - . 90 

Hunt,  Hon.  Washington,  Governor  of  New  York,  Letter  from,  -  -  207 

Illuminations, . 101, 183 

Invitation  of  President,  and  his  acceptance  of  it, . 44 

Jubilee,  First  day  of, . 52 

Second  day  of, . 81 

Third  day  of,  -  --  --  --  --  -  102 

Maine,  Letter  from  Governor  of,  -  -  - . 209 

Massachusetts,  Polls  in,  and  valuation  of  property  in,  -  -  -  -  273 

Manufactures  of, . 274 

Mayor  of  Boston.  See  Bigelow,  Mr.  Mayor. 

of  Roxbury,  Address  of,  to  the  President, . 58 

Military  Escorts.  See  Escorts. 

Review  of,  by  the  President, . 78 

Merchants,  Meeting  of, . 39 

Mechanics,  Meeting  of, . 43 

Mercantile  Library  Association,  Meeting  of,  ------  43 

Montreal,  City  of,  Proceedings  of  authorities  of, . 218 

Morin,  Hon.  A.  N.,  Letter  from, . 211 

New  Brunswick,  Letter  from  Governor  of, . 210 

Newport,  Arrival  of  President,  &c.,  at, . 47 

Departure  of  President  from, . 53 

New  York,  Letter  from  Governor  of, . 207 

Northern  Railroad,  account  of, . 248 

Ocean  Steam  Ship  Company,  of  New  England,  account  of,  -  -  -  222 

Ogdensburg  Railroad,  account  of, . 248 

Order,  General,  of  the  Governor, . 45 

Order  of  Ceremonies,  Proclamation  of, . 42 

Order  of  Procession.  See  “  Procession.” 


286 


Page. 

Palmerston,  Lord,  Despatch  from,  to  Mr.  Crainpton,  -  -  -  201 

Pavilion  on  the  Common, . 150 

Preamble  and  Resolve  for  Celebration, . 19 

Prefatory  Remarks, . 1 

President  of  the  U.  States,  Address  of  Mr.  Scliouler  to,  and  Reply  of,  -  -  47 

Mr.  Wilder  to, . 55 

Gov.  Boutwell  to,  and  Reply  of,  -  71 

Hon.  Henry  Wilson  to,  -  -  53,187 

Lieut.  Col.  Heard  to,  -  -  49,  187 

Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow  to,  and  Reply  of,  -  63 

the  Mayor  of  Roxbury  to,  and  Reply  of, 
Arrangements  for  Reception  of,  ... 
Arrival,  at  Boston  Neck,  of, 

Arrival,  at  Dorchester,  of, . 

Arrival,  at  Fall  River,  of, . 

Arrival,  at  Newport,  of, . 

Departure  of,  from  Boston,  - 

Departure  of,  from  Newport,  .... 

Embarkation,  on  board  the  S.  S.  Lewis,  of,  - 
Introduction  of  Lord  Elgin  to,  - 

Invitation  of, . 

Opening  of  Grand  Junction  Railway  by,  - 
Reception,  at  Boston  Neck,  of,  - 
Reception  of,  by  the  Mayor  of  Boston, 

Replies  of.  See  Address. 

Reply  of,  to  Selectmen  of  Dorchester, 

Review  of  Troops  by . 

Speech  of,  at  Pavilion, . 

Visit  of,  to  the  Governor  at  State  House,  - 
Proceedings,  during  evening  of  first  day, 

during  evening  of  second  day, 
during  evening  of  third  day, 
on  board  Flotilla, 
of  School  Committee, 

Processions,  Order  of,  -  -  - 

Procession  of  Trades,  .... 

Traps  and  Hinges,  Harness  and  Saddlery 

Iron,  . 

Hatters, . 

Turners,  India  Rubber  Goods,  Express  Men, . 

Iron  Pipes,  Carriage  Makers,  Riggers,  Museum,  - 

Bakers, . 

Masons,  Carpenters,  House  Painters,  Bellows  Makers, 

Copper-plate  Printers,  Fire  Engines,  Printers, . 

Cabinet  Makers,  Upholsterers,  Papier  Mache,  School  Furniture, 

Granite  Cutters, . 

Silver  Smiths  and  Jewellers, . 

Safes  and  Locks, . 

Blank  Book  Pagers  and  Rulers,  Iron  Railing,  Furnace,  Range  and 

Stove  Dealers,  Tin  Ware  and  Sheet  Iron, . 

Sewing  Machines, . 


58 

44 

59 
55 
53 
47 

186 

53 

85 

97 

44 

83 

59 

62 


56 

78 

-  158 

70 

79 
98 

-  188 

87 

38 

56,  65,  103 

-  128 


Bronze  and  Ornamental 


129 

129 

130 

131 

132 

133 
135 

134 

137 

138 

139 

140 

141 


287 


/ 


/ 


Page. 

Procession  of  Trades,  continued. 

Fire  Works,  Wooden  Ware, . 142 

Car  Makers,  Founders, . 143 

Leather  Belting,  La'st  Makers,  Plumbers,  Carpet  Makers,  -  -  144 

Occupants  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market,  . 145 

Paper  Hangings,  Lamps  and  Gas  Fixtures,  Intelligence  Offices,  Piano 

Forte  Makers,  -  -  -  - . 146 

Gilders,  Book  Binders, . 147 

Agricultural  Wares,  Brushes, . 148 

Boat  Clubs,  Carvers, . 149 

Quincy,  Hon.  Josiah,  Jr.,  Speech  of,  at  Pavilion, . 185 

Railroad  System  of  Massachusetts,  Account  of, . 230 

Railroads  of  New  England,  Names,  Length,  and  Cost  of,  -  -  -  261 

of  Massachusetts,  Number  of  Passengers  on,  and  Receipts  of,  in 

certain  years, . 264 

Receptions.  See  Arrival,  President,  Committee. 

Regatta  at  Hull, . 90 

Resolve  for  Celebration,  -  19 

Review.  See  Escorts. 

Rutland  and  Burlington  Railroad,  account  of,  -  -  -  -  -  246 

Route  of  Procession, .  57,  65,  103 


S.  S.  Lewis,  Steamer,  account  of, . 

Sawtelle,  Hon.  Cullen,  Letter  from, . 

Selectmen  of  Dorchester,  President’s  Reply  to,  - 

School  Committee,  Proceedings  of,  - . 

List  of, . 

Schools,  Public,  of  Boston,  Statistics  concerning,  .... 
Schouler,  William,  Esq.,  Address  of,  to  President,  and  President’s  Reply, 

Simpson,  Sir  George,  Letter  from,  - . 

Speech.  See  Address. 

Speech  of  Gov.  Boutwell,  at  the  Pavilion, . 

Hon.  A.  H.  H.  Stuart,  at  the  Pavilion,  .... 
Hon.  Charles  M.  Conrad,  at  the  Pavilion, 

Plon.  Edward  Everett,  at  the  Pavilion,  .... 
Hon.  Francis  Hincks,  at  the  Pavilion,  .... 
Hon.  Joseph  Howe,  at  the  Pavilion,  .... 
Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  at  the  Pavilion,  - 
Hon.  Robert  C-  Wintlirop,  at  the  Pavilion,  ... 

Lord  Elgin,  at  the  Pavilion, . 

Mr.  Mayor  Bigelow,  at  the  Pavilion,  .... 
President  Fillmore,  at  the  Pavilion,  - 
Stewart,  Hon.  Alexander,  Remarks  of,  at  Pavilion,  - 
Stuart,  Hon.  A.  H.  H.,  Presentation  of,  to  the  Governor,  - 

Speech  of,  at  the  Pavilion,  .... 
Sub-Committees, . 


225,  227 
-  210 
56 
38 

-  281 

-  253 

47 

-  213 

-  169 

159 

-  160 

-  171 
182 
180 

-  185 

-  176 
164 

160 

-  158 

-  180 

75 

-  159 

20 


Trades.  See  Procession. 

Troops,  Review  of,  by  the  President, . 78 


288 


Page. 

Vermont,  Letter  from  Governor  of,  . 208 

Vermont  Central  Railroad,  account  of, . 249 

Visit  of  Committee  of  Arrangements,  to  Canada, . 23 

President,  to  Gov.  Boutwell,  at  the  State  House,  70 


Webster,  Hon.  Daniel,  Presentation  of,  to  Governor,  and  Speech  of, 

Letter  from,  to  Mr.  Crampton, 

Letter  from,  to  Committee  of  Invitation, 
Wilder,  Hon.  Marshall  P.,  Address  of,  to  the  President, 

Wilson,  Hon.  Henry,  Addresses  of,  to  the  President, 

Winthrop,  Hon.  Robert  C.,  Speech  of,  at  the  Pavilion, 


73 

-  202 

-  207 

55 

53,  187 

-  176 


4 


— 


UNIVERSITY  HEIGHTS 
CHESTNUT  HILL,  MASS. 


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